Originally settled by Celtic tribes in the 7th century BC, the area of Milan became important as a northern trading post in the early years of the Roman Empire, and was conquered in 222BC, from when it became one of the biggest cities in the Empire.
After a brief period in the 12th century, when the city was conquered by the Holy Roman Empire, the city became the home of a number of rulers including the Sforzas, and retains much of their influence to this day. The blackest period was from 1525 when it was ruled from Spain and then Austria, and it was 1859 before the city returned to Italy, and with the advent of industry, acquired great wealth to match it's beautiful architecture.
The twentieth century saw the manufacture of Fiat cars and the new alpine tunnels linking Milan with the rest of Europe become the centre of Italian industry, and the growth of the city meant that it became larger than Rome.
Organised crime took its toll on the city, but now, with a zero tolerance like New York in place, the centre is quieter, and even more pleasant, and the cultural highlights of the city continue to attract as many tourists as any other part of the city.
