Even if you don’t travel by train, you shouldn’t miss visiting Milan’s main railway station, Milan Central. That’s right; see it not only from the outside but also from the inside and look.
Milano Centrale, also known as Stazione di Milano Centrale, is one of Europe’s most significant and largest railway stations. Its inauguration in 1931, after nearly two decades of construction, marks a pivotal moment in European railway history.
History of Milan Central Station
As early as 1906, King Vittorio Emanuele III laid the foundation stone for the station, although there was not even a construction plan for the building at that time. While a design competition held by the Italian State Railways in 1906 yielded no winner, architect Ulisse Stacchini won a subsequent contest in 1912. In 1913, the first work began, but progress was slow. The world economic crisis had Italy firmly in its grip, and savings had to be made.
Initially, the building was to be kept very simple, but Mussolini decided that this structure should present the strength of the fascist regime and had all the plans changed. The new planning design, reflecting a mixture of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and fascism, was stylistically based on the Roman monumental buildings.
Additional platforms were included in the planning, and a steel platform hall was planned. This was to be 341 meters long and cover an area of 66,000 m2. The building was inaugurated in 1931 and still stands there in all its glory.
The front of the station is 200 metres wide and 72 metres high. The terminus has 24 tracks on which about 500 trains arrive and depart daily. In addition, 2 metro lines stop here underground, as well as several bus and tram lines.
The airport shuttle buses also have their final stop here.
The Royal Hall
The Royal Pavilion, a neoclassical masterpiece designed by Ulisse Stacchini in 1925, stands as an opulent annexe within Milan’s Central Station. Intended initially as King Vittorio Emanuele III’s private waiting and reception area, it features a grand marble and onyx staircase connecting the street-level arms room to the king’s quarters overlooking the platforms. After the abolition of the monarchy in 1946, the pavilion fell into disuse but was meticulously restored in 2007, preserving its elegant architecture. Today, while no longer serving its royal purpose, the Royal Pavilion remains a significant historical landmark, available for special events and a testament to the station’s storied past and enduring importance as a major European railway hub.
The Royal Hall is not open to the public, but you can book one of the very rare tours. You can find more information at the NEIADE Tour & Events Website.
Platform 21: the Holocaust Memorial
Beneath Milan’s bustling Central Station, at Platform 21, lies a poignant memorial dedicated to the Holocaust’s victims. From this very spot, between 1943 and 1945, Jews and other persecuted individuals were forcibly deported to concentration and extermination camps like Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. Inaugurated in 2013, the Holocaust Memorial provides a space for remembrance and education. Visitors can explore a museum that preserves the original train tracks and cattle cars used for these horrific deportations alongside historical documents, photographs, and personal testimonies. This immersive experience aims to foster reflection and ensure that future generations understand the profound atrocities of this period. A central feature is the Wall of Names, a solemn tribute listing those deported from Milan, ensuring their memory endures.
Our station tour
We visited this station several times during our trip to Milan, each time to reach our different destinations.
As train users, we found this station relatively straightforward, as all the tracks are nicely situated beside each other. Nevertheless, it is always exciting to see on which track the train arrives. None of our numerous tickets had a track on it. These were announced about 5-10 minutes before the train’s departure by loudspeaker announcements and on the display board. Then, many people flocked to the corresponding track and onto the train.
But even without the pressure of catching a train, we returned to the station and visited the beautiful building.
The station is divided into three large halls: the vestibule, the main hall with the ticket office, and the station hall. Figures and mosaics are everywhere. After the renovation in 2010, a mezzanine floor with shops was added.
We were even lucky enough to experience a flash mob here. Various dancers took advantage of this unique setting to showcase their skills. The energy and enthusiasm of the performers, combined with the station’s grandeur, made this a truly memorable experience
Oh yes, here is a little tip from us. The Roadhouse restaurant is located in the station. Here, you can eat delicious food at normal prices. The portions are huge, the service is very friendly, and the best part is that you have a great view of the track hall with the departing trains.
Visitor information
Address:
Piazza Duca d’Aosta, 1,
20124 Milan MI,
Italy
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