Designed by Giuseppe Mengoni and completed in 1877, the magnificent Vittorio Emanuele II gallery is one of the city's emblems. It forms a huge cross beneath a 50m-high glass and steel cupola, connecting the Piazza Duomo to the Piazza della Scala, and is home to smart boutiques, cafés and restaurants. Make a brief stop at the Milano Osservatorio, the new space devoted to photography at the Fondazione Prada, from where you can enjoy an expansive view of the gallery.