Milan International (1906)

Poster - Simplon tunnel with views towards Milan

The Bureau of International Expositions ( BIE) recognized World Expo 1906 in Milan (it: Esposizione internazionale del Sempione ) took place between 28 April and 11 November 1906, was performed at the opening of the Simplon Tunnel. 50 countries and 27,000 exhibitors participated in the exhibition. The exhibition aims to have attracted between 7.5 and 10 million visitors.

The exhibition area of 100 hectares consisted of a grassy area behind the Castello Sforzesco, the present Simplon Park and around 3 kilometers away what is now the Milan Fair. An electric overhead railway connected the two exhibition spaces.

History

The theme of the exhibition in Milan was the traffic. Three weeks after the opening of the exhibition of the 20 km long Simplon Tunnel was put into operation on 19 May 1906. It was originally planned for 1905 but had to be postponed for one year due to delays in the construction of the tunnel.

The exhibition in Milan featured a balloon park and a section on aviation in the several airships were seen. A pavilion was dedicated to the emerging automobile and a section of the railway.

Significant was also the hygiene exhibition with a wide range of medical exhibits. In the pavilion of Applied Arts especially Italian artists and designers were represented.

Building

On April 28, 1906, opened the Acquario Civico di Milano as part of the World's Fair. The aquarium is the only building of the Great Exhibition of 1906 and is located in the Simplon Park.

On August 3, a fire broke out which destroyed several buildings and pavilions, including the Pavilion of Applied Arts. In a period of 40 days, the premises were rebuilt and King Victor Emmanuel III. reopened.

Gallery

Electric overhead railway at the 1906 exhibition

Entrance to the exhibition grounds of the Via Gadio

Ballroom at the World Exhibition of 1906

Memorial monument to the work of the Simplon tunnel