A 1900s Milanese Kind of Life

This walk through the heart of Milan retraces life at the turn of the 20th century—when artists, workers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers crossed paths between the Galleria, La Scala, and Brera. A journey into the rituals, rhythms, and transformations of a city on the move, seen through the lens of its people rather than its monuments. You'll explore the everyday lives that once unfolded—and still do—in places where people gathered, imagined, and transformed the city. From the elegance of Teatro alla Scala to the alleys of Brera, you’ll find traces of a time when cafés echoed with debate, the aperitivo became a Milanese ritual, and courtyards told stories of movement and aspiration. Emanuele, a professional photographer, helps you frame these layers, while Erica, a licensed guide, adds depth to each stop, revealing its cultural and historical background. The experience ends with an aperitivo just as locals do—taking the time to pause, chat, and reflect on the art of living Milan-style.

This experience offers a chance to understand Milan as a city in constant motion—where change has always been part of its identity. By stepping into the everyday life of the early 1900s, you’ll grasp how that energy first took shape, and how it still pulses through the city’s streets, squares and habits today. From the grand setting of La Scala to the Galleria and the storied cafés of Brera, this walk draws connections between past and present. It invites you to look beyond the architecture and into the lives—ordinary and extraordinary—that shaped Milan’s modern spirit, from artists and entrepreneurs to the people who filled these places day after day. Emanuele brings a photographer’s eye to the experience, helping you notice fleeting gestures and unexpected alignments. Erica adds voices to the streets through stories of people and places that continue to define how Milan lives and moves.

Emanuele Dello Strologo is a photographer based between Genoa and Milan. His eye has been shaped by over a decade of work in reportage, portraiture, and black-and-white photography, with past collaborations including Corbis and Getty Images. He’s always observing, camera in hand, drawn to fleeting scenes of everyday life. Erica De Ponti is a licensed guide with over 20 years of experience and a deep love for old-time Milan. She has written essays for photographic books on the subject, teaches art history at the Università della Terza Età, and works as both an editor and press officer. Her approach blends historical insight with a sharp sense for stories worth telling.

Comfortable shoes and your camera.