Milan rediscovers a long-hidden prospect. After months of work, the Highline, the elevated walkway that runs along the roofs of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. A suspended pathway that allows visitors to traverse the city center from a height of about 40 meters, returning a never-before-seen view of one of Italy’s best-known and busiest buildings.
Walking above the “living room” of Milan
The walkway runs for about 250 meters following the upper perimeter of the Galleria, from the Piazza della Scala side until it approaches Piazza Duomo. Walking among the iron and glass structures allows one to catch architectural details that escape from below: the curvatures of the roofs, the metal joints, the transparent surfaces that filter light and continuously redesign the environment. The Milanese skyline accompanies the route, with the Madonnina always present as a visual and symbolic reference point.
Between technical memory and new public spaces
One of the centerpieces of the visit is the Hall of the Clocks, for decades the central regulator of official city time. Here is preserved a 1932 machine that synchronized Milan’s clocks, a witness to a time when time was also an urban infrastructure. After restoration, the space becomes accessible again and an integral part of the Gallery’s historical narrative. Next to the hall, the terrace above the Triumphal Arch opens to the public for the first time: a direct view of Piazza Duomo that offers a clear reading of the urban layout and the dialogue between historic and contemporary architecture.
A path designed to be sustainable
The new layout favors lightweight solutions and low-impact materials. Bilingual information panels and audio guides usable from personal devices accompany the visit without weighing down the environment. Attention to sustainability is also reflected in the design choices, with the inclusion of green elements and energy-saving-oriented technologies. The Highline is thus proposed as a dynamic cultural space, capable of combining heritage protection and contemporary enjoyment.
Access is from the Gallery, Piazza della Scala side, by dedicated elevator to the sixth floor. Tickets can be purchased online and allow visits to the walkway, the Clock Room and the new terrace.
