One of the four paintings in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II each representing one continent emphasizing the international role of Milan.
Throughout Roman times, the lands of northern Italy, originally inhabited by Celtic tribes, were overwhelmed by the roman culture and language and heavily developed, with Lombardy becoming one of the most developed and richest areas of Italy. The trade of the roman empire with the East and the Levant were key to this development and transformed the culture of the northern regions with aspects of this cultural heritage preserved up to today. In late antiquity the strategic role of Lombardy was emphasized by the move of the capital of the Western Empire to Mediolanum (Milan).
A tower of the Sforzesco Castle built by the Duke of Milan in the 15th century.
Following the fall of the Roman empire, trade between towns continued and the commercial connection with the Eastern Empire was preserved. Upon barbarian conquests, cities were not deliberately destroyed (except in the rare cases of strong resistance) nor did their internal economy undergo fundamental changes. While commerce and manufacturing faced numerous obstacles, they were far from extinguished. Eastern goods were widely used, particularly by the clergy for personal adornment and by churches for decorating altars and religious images. Luxurious vestments, altar cloths, gemstones, and ornaments, along with incense for religious ceremonies, were highly sought after, and as the Church expanded its influence across Europe, this demand grew even further.
During the Middle Ages, new trade routes emerged, including a significant maritime connection between the Mediterranean coastal cities of France, Spain, and Northern Italy and cities in the East and Southeast. However, in the early eleventh century, commerce along these routes were violently interrupted by internal disturbance. The decline of Charlemagne’s successors, the fragmentation of the empire, and the rise of distinct national identities led to instability and competing interests, with Southern and Southeastern France particularly affected. As a result, by the mid-eleventh century, Mediterranean trade in these regions had nearly collapsed.
Seizing this opportunity, Italian merchants, especially those from Lombardy, took over the trade that had previously been dominated by their Western counterparts and before the middle of the eleventh century, all Western Europe was looking to Northern Italy alone for the supply of goods which of which demand was rapidly increasing. The northern cities held a uniquely favorable geographical position for this expanding trade. They had direct sea access to the East while also maintaining close river and land connections to the mountain passes leading to the rest of Europe. Every shipment traveling north from Italy, as well as those returning south, had to pass through the Alpine crossings—such as Mt. Cenis, St. Bernard, St. Gothard etc.—over which Lombardy had control.
The commercial bank of Italia and the statute of Leonardo Da Vinci.
The rapid economic growth of the region, leading to an increase of municipal power, was followed by the creation of a legal system well adapted to industry and trade and the continuation of exchange inherited from roman times. As the power of mercantile class continuously increased through these transformations, wealthier citizens completely took control of affairs which ultimately led to the development of municipal independence. In that context, Northern Italy’s renaissance was born and would give the world some of the most important architectural, artistic and scientific realization in history.
The Milan Cathedral which took nearly six centuries to complete. The construction began in 1386.
A view on the Galleria Emanuel II from the Piazza del Duomo.
