Lombardy stretches from the Alps of northern Italy, with the magnificent Stelvio National Park, to the romantic, picturesque lake area (Lake Maggiore and Lake Como) and the Po Valley. Old palaces, splendid churches and great works of art are to be found in the Lombard cities of Mantua, Pavia and Cremona. Milan is the principal city of the region, commercial and financial centre of Italy and the undisputed capital of fashion. It is the centre of communication routes and also, thanks to La Scala Opera House and the important paintings in its art galleries, a city of art and culture of a European level.