The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II at a glance
The Galleria is a covered passage that links Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala. It was designed by Giuseppe Mengoni and named after King Vittorio Emanuele II. You enter under a triumphal arch, walk under a glass dome and pass shops on both sides. The arcade is a public passage, so you can walk through it without a ticket.
Look up and down as you walk: the mosaics in the floor and the painted lunettes under the dome are the main sights. If you are visiting the cathedral, the Galleria is on the way: the entrance faces the Duomo on the same square. Add the Milan Duomo rooftop terraces for a view of the roof from above.
History of the Galleria
An arcade of the 1860s and 1870s.
The architect
Giuseppe Mengoni designed the Galleria. He died in 1870, before the work was complete.
The building dates
The foundation stone was laid in 1865, the first opening was in 1867 and the triumphal arch dates from 1871, while the complete opening is sometimes put at 1877. In short, the Galleria was built across the late 1860s and the 1870s.
The name
It honours Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy. A statue of him on horseback stands in the square outside, in front of the cathedral.
Walk the arcade slowly and look up. The painted lunettes sit under the dome, and the glass roof lets in daylight across the whole length.
The Galleria is also the starting point for the walk to Piazza della Scala. For museums and viewpoints around it, see things to do near the Duomo.
Our pick: on the Galleria roof
Our take: the Highline walk is the way up onto the Galleria next to the Duomo.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Milan Duomo tours and rooftop tickets
Guided visits and tickets for the cathedral next door, with live prices and availability.
The bull mosaic
A floor mosaic with a custom attached.
In the floor of the central octagon, a mosaic shows a bull. It refers to the coat of arms of Turin, and other city coats of arms are shown in the central octagon. Visitors traditionally put a heel on the bull and spin around once. This is a custom, and the luck it promises is a tradition, not a fact.
The spot can be crowded, so wait your turn if you want to try it.
Shops and the Highline
What is inside and above the arcade.
The ground floor is a shopping passage. Shop hours vary by shop, so check the sign on the door instead of planning around one fixed closing time.
Above the arcade, the Highline Milano offers a walk on the roof with exhibitions and the Sala degli Orologi. It is a separate attraction with its own ticket and is not part of a Duomo rooftop ticket. The entrance is at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II 11/12. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:30, and closed on Mondays. Capacity limits or private events can close single dates, so booking ahead is a good idea.
| Highline ticket | Price 2026 |
|---|---|
| Full price | €15 |
| Aged 19 to 25, over 65, certain cardholders | €12 |
| Aged 13 to 18, certain university cards | €10 |
| Aged 7 to 12, companions of people with disabilities | €7 |
| Aged 0 to 6, people with disabilities | Free |
| Open-date ticket or gift card | €20 |
For most visitors the full or reduced ticket is the right choice. The open-date ticket suits people who do not yet know their day. Children around age 6 sit on the edge of the free category, so confirm the age rule when you book.
The route involves stairs and narrow, raised walkways, so it is not fully wheelchair accessible. Large suitcases and pushchairs are not allowed, and there is no cloakroom. Light rain is fine, while severe weather can close it. Do not assume a refund is automatic if you cancel for weather.
Combine it with the rest of the centre
The Galleria sits between two of the city's main squares.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: frequently asked questions
Is the Galleria free to enter?
Yes, you can walk through the arcade for free. The Highline rooftop walk is a separate attraction with its own ticket.
When was the Galleria built?
Foundation stone in 1865, first opening in 1867 and the triumphal arch in 1871, with the complete opening sometimes put at 1877. Mengoni died in 1870.
Where is the bull mosaic?
In the floor of the central octagon. Spinning on a heel on the bull is a tradition and brings luck only as a custom.
Is the Highline part of the Duomo rooftop ticket?
No. It has its own ticket, at €15 for adults in 2026, and its own entrance at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II 11/12.
When is the Highline open?
Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, last entry at 17:30, closed on Mondays. Single dates may close because of capacity or private events.
Is this the official website of the Galleria?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to the Galleria, the Highline or the city of Milan.