Traveling with three kids means that we can't spend all day every day looking at landmark churches and art museums. If you're under the age of 10, those all look exactly the same and are boring. And I have to admit, after having now spent three months traveling through eight countries in Europe over these trips, I'm beginning to feel the same way.
The focus in Milan has been to push the barriers and find the more unusual sights. We ended up finding a few mind games.
The first was a phenomenal 15th century optical illusion at the Church of Santa Maria presto San Satiro. The goal for churches at this time was to make them as big and grand as possible, so when a street keeps you from extending your church as far as you want, you fake it. From the back, the apse appears to extend deeply behind the altar. Get closer, not so much, thanks to the work of Donato Bramante.
Walking past the Italian stock exchange, the Borsa, is also a real treat. Here, a giant middle finger is raised proudly for all who dare venture nearby, thanks to the work of Maurizio Cattelan. The bull on Wall Street looks silly in comparison, New York is not this gritty. Gordon Gecko would want a copy for his office.
Along the Navigli canals, there's a church façade that looks like it’s one thousand years old. Turns out, they just ran out of money and never finished it. It was built in the early 20th century (still old by American standards) and looks a lot like a neighborhood church. It's fun watching the faces on all who walk past trying to figure out why there aren't more crowds at this ancient church and wondering if they should step in.
The street performers also levitate here (not my picture, but here's what it looks like). I think they're powered by Euros in a hat and/or mystical thoughts. Or, simple physics and a sturdy frame. Thanks, James Randi, for reminding us that a little deduction and logic go a long way from being dazzled and bamboozled out of our hard earned money for a little chicanery, like all who walk past.
Milan is a big, European city. See the major sights, or keep on playing those mind games together.
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| Look how long this church is, it looked so much smaller on the outside! I can't believe that little blue police box is so big on the inside either. |
Forced perspective is a clever trick when you don't want to appear to be out of space. Perhaps a painting idea for your house
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| The Borsa, looking polite |
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| Outside the Borsa, I think telling you what to do with your complaints about capitalism |
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| Whoa, how old is this church!? |
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| Oh, not very old at all... |
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