Designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni, the Galleria was conceived as a passage connecting Milan’s two iconic landmarks: the Milan Cathedral and the Teatro alla Scala. The main entrance from Piazza del Duomo takes the form of a triumphal arch, bearing an inscription that translates to "TO VICTOR EMANUEL II. THE MILANESE," as the Galleria is dedicated to Victor Emanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. Featuring a cross-shaped plan, the Galleria consists of two iron and glass-covered walkways that converge at an octagonal central space, crowned by a grand glass dome—the Octagon. The cross design and dome, elements traditionally associated with church architecture, along with the Galleria’s royal name, may reflect the new secular ambitions of the fledgling Italian kingdom, challenging the dominance of the Catholic Church in the region.