Vintage Milan - The 50s Boom & The Snow of '85

Milan is a city that runs towards the future, but it has a deep nostalgia for its recent past. The photosites of the 50s, 60s, and 70s show a different city.

The Economic Miracle

In the 1950s, Milan was the engine of Italy's rebirth. The skyscrapers (like the Pirelli Tower) were going up. The factories were humming. Everyone rode Vespas or tiny Fiat 500s. It was a time of optimism. The Duomo square was often filled with cars (yes, it wasn't pedestrianized!) and neon signs.

The "Scighera" (The Fog)

Old Milanese will tell you about the fog. The thick, white, impenetrable fog that would blanket the city for weeks in winter.

• The effect: It muffled sounds and hid the ugly parts of the industrial city.
• Today: Thanks to climate change and better heating systems, the true scighera is rare.

The Great Snow

The image of the tram in the snow brings back memories of the "Nevicata del '85" (The Snowfall of 1985). For three days in January, it didn't stop snowing. Meters of snow paralyzed the city.

• What happened: The army was called in. People skied down the streets. Silence fell over the chaotic metropolis.
• The Legacy: It remains a collective memory of a time when nature stopped the unstoppable city.