While the mountains fence Milan off from the world, Genoa serves as the coastal gateway to the Mediterranean and beyond. The Alps provide Milan with a natural barrier to the north that ensures the city is relatively safe from Swabia and the Holy Roman Empire - If the Milanese hold the mountain passes, they can hold off Northern Europe. The Milanese are surrounded by possible allies and enemies.
Though still Catholic, the Milanese are breaking free from the control of the church to form a mighty, expanding municipality. The Archbishop of Milan was until very recently the most powerful political figure in Northern Italy, with the city well and truly under his thumb. Milan is a city of both possibility and problems.
