Milan—a beguiling blend of old and new, perhaps better known for its cutting-edge fashion and design scenes than for its historic architecture—is a city that rewards curiosity.  Its beauty “is not necessarily the facades, such as in Paris, or the ancient ruins, as in Rome,” said Italian architect and designer Hannes Peer. “It’s not an obvious beauty. It’s more like a hidden beauty that you have to find.” 

Naturally, Milan has its architectural gems, with beauty that sparkles on the surface like the pure white marble of the Duomo, the city’s imposing Gothic cathedral. But those willing to delve deeper will find that Milan’s true charm lies in its eclecticism and its hidden detail—a quirky lobby decorated with cheerful yellow diamond shapes and glowing round wall sconces designed by iconic Milanese architects and designers Geo Ponti and Alberto Rosselli, or a lush secret garden tucked away behind an unremarkable facade.