About Scala Theater (Teatro alla Scala a Milano), Italy

Scala, La Scala or Teatro alla Scala, is a world-famous opera house, located in Milan, Italy, founded under the auspices of the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, with the purpose to replace the Royal Ducal Theatre, which was destroyed by fire in 1776.

La Scala is the place where, in the past 200 years, Italy's greatest names, related to opera music, have performed and delighted enthusiasts, passionate with the genre.

The traditionally open season for the theater is on December 7, which is Saint Ambrose's Day - the feast day of Milan's patron saint. Due to the fact that it is, without doubt, the most important Italian Opera House, and an emblem known and admired all over the world, numerous people, from all over the country are drawn to the opera performances held here.

From the theatre's foyer and a part of the house, opera enthusiasts can also access the Museo Teatrale alla Scala (La Scala Theatre Museum), which is home to extraordinary collections of drafts, statues, paintings, costumes and various documents related to opera and La Scala's history.

Although, La Scala is a major and a famous attraction in the city, Milan is an appealing attraction, all on its own, its beauty and historical heritage being just as famous as this magnificent opera house, where numerous premiers have been performed, including Europa riconosciuta by Antonio Salieri, in 1778, I Lombardi alla prima crociata by Giuseppe Verdi, in 1843, Mefistofele by Arrigo Boito, in 1868, and Teneke by Fabio Vacchi, in 2007, among many, many other.

Milan, financially the country's most important city, also one of the most fashionable cities in Italy, as well as one of the richest cities in Europe, is home to a vast array of appealing attractions in addition to La Scala Opera House, including the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, the world-famous Last Supper painting, as well as beautiful squares and gates, and parks and gardens, to name a few of its most renowned highlights.

As many people have said before after visiting, exploring Milan is an experience that can never be forgoten, as the city tends to delight and surprise, at the same time.

However, this glamorous Italian city has much more to offer, in addition to amazing architecture and appealing attractions, shopping also being one of the main reasons people pick it as their vacation destination. Malls, shops and outlets selling everything from designer clothing to cheaper versions - the city's shopping scene offers something for every taste and budget.

There's plenty to do and a lot to see in the beautiful city of Milan, La Scala being just a small part of the "whole", therefore, a visit to Milan can never be described as boring or dull.

Transportation in Milan, Italy

Milan is served by 3 international airports, the closest of which is Malpensa International Airport, which is the second largest airport in the country. It is situated at a distance of approximately 45km from the city center, and it is linked with downtown Cadorna FN Railway Station and Centrale FS Main Railway Station, with the "Malpensa Express" railway service running every 15 minutes and with the Suburban S10 Line.

The city has an extensive internal transportation service, which makes it very easy for people to get around.

The public transportation service in Milan (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM)) includes a suburban railway, metro, tram and bus services, and there are also taxi services available, walking or riding the bike also being popular choices, especially among tourists.

Tickets are available at the metro stations and tabacchi, which resemble small stores marked with "T". The fares are as follows: standard ticket - 1 EUR (available 75 minutes after validation), daily ticket - 3 EUR, 2-day ticket - 5, 50 EUR, weekly ticket - 9 EUR.

The Suburban Railway Service consists of 10 suburban lines that connect the Milan agglomeration to the metropolitan area.

The tram network has 17 lines that run on approximately 160 km.

Besides the already reminded transportation options, there is also the RadioBus service, which runs on demand, whenever and wherever clients want, in the city, running daily, between 8 pm and 2 am. To book your trip around Milan you just have to decide time, departure and arrival place then contact ATM - Call center - 02/48.03.48.03 (from 13:00 to 2:00 a.m.).

Taxis are not cheap in Milan, especially not during rush hour. But, if you really need one, here are 2: Taxi Blu phone: 02.4040, Yellow Taxi Multi-service phone: 02.6969.

The easiest fastest way to get around in Milan is by bike. It is faster than walking, better than driving (you will not get stuck in traffic), cheaper than any other transportation mean available, plus, you get to see all of Milan, without missing anything.