Provincia di Milano

Knowing Milan and its province

Visconti castles and noble villas along the Naviglio grande

The first itinerary in search of the area within the province of Milan, its hidden treasures and most important monuments, follows the historical route of the Naviglio Grande at Abbiategrasso, an old centre just six kilometres from Ticino and known for the Visconteo Castle and its historical palaces and villas. This is the landscape where you can still perceive the strong indications of a past linked to the Visconti, the Lombard family that held power in Milan from the end of the Third century and the first half of the Fifth century. In this part of the Milanese plain, the land with an abundance of water, has maintained a strong agricultural vocation and a natural and historical heritage of considerable worth. The Naviglio Grande, whose origins date back to the XII century, played a significant part, right from the outset, in the development and evolution of the irrigation system in the Bassa Milanese countryside and as a navigation route for trading. Its waters were also used to transport Candoglia marble, coming from Lake Maggiore and used in the building of the Cathedral in Milan. Still close to Abbiategrasso, around Castelletto, another Naviglio, the Bereguardo branches off the Naviglio Grande that stems from the Ticino above Turbigo, and heads towards Pavia, linking up again with the Ticino. The countryside is a wealth of delightful, splendid, luxury villas and holiday homes that become more numerous, from the middle of the Sixteenth century onwards, on the banks of the Navigli along the trail of the historical water networks. The water routes acted both as essential communication ways as well as corridors suited to the development of an intense agricultural and commercial activity.

Notes

The project of itineraries is by AIM - Association of Metropolitan Interests - and was developed for the site in association with provincial editorial staff of visitamilano.

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Once we pass through the architectural designs on the via of Armed Forces, which is characterized by a disorganised succession of military equipment and residential districts, we arrive at the new Cave Park.
> "Parco delle Cave" (Quarry Park)
We have reached the home of Baggio, an area that still preserves a recognisable imprint of the old plant of rural origins. The centre of the suburb gathers around the medieval church of St. Apollinare.
> Church of San Apollinare.
Still, in the centre of Baggio is the ex Monastery Olivetano of S. Maria.
> Ex Olivetan Monastery of S. Maria
From Baggio, we continue along the current via Cusago, outlined in 1395 by Gian Galezazzo Visconti who hunted for a way to connect Milan, we reach the pleasant village of Cusago that is dominated by the imposing Visconteo Castle.
> Visconteo Castle of Cusago
In the Cusago village and around the square are new buildings that have been completely restructured and villas immersed in greenery.
> Milan South Agricultural Park
After leaving Albairate we will arrive in Cassinetta of Lugagnano, one of the most elegant villages situated along the Naviglio Grande. Here the many noble villas that line the waterfront, form a rich landscape like that in picturesque postcards.
> Salcano farmstead
Fortunately, the premises are managed, periodically, in the good rural areas, like other places with delightful vacation homes. The 18th century villas are arranged next to each other along a path.
> Villa Negri
> Villa Visconti Maineri
> Villa Krentzlin
> Villa Castiglioni Nai Bossi
These are just some of the homes belonging to aristocrats that characterize the village where, we will find other points of interest along the main street.
> Church of St. Anthony Abbot
> Villa Mörlin Visconti
> Villa Clari Monzini
Turning at the church we will continue along the way to roggia, arriving at a Mill.
> Gerli Mill
From Cassinetta of Lugagnano, crossing the path, we will arrive at Robecco on the Naviglio, a place Milanese aristocrats selected for their vacations, where development began at the start of the 15th century, amongst buildings belonging to aristocrats, some built from the same century but mostly in the 17th and 18th century. Even here the Naviglio is the fundamental axis of the urban area where they have numerous villas, that have utilize and occupy the space between the waterway and the core inhabited area. Villa Gandini is the first villa to admire on the left bank of Naviglio along the path from Cassinetta.
> Villa Gandini - Villa Gaia
Overlooking the "Grand Canal" is the 17th century Villa Dugnani and the imposing structure of Archinto Villa.
> Villa Dugnani
> Villa Archinto - Il Castello
The elegant Villa Gromo of Ternengo has a garden that backs onto the Naviglio.
> Villa Gromo di Ternengo
From the surrounding wall we will see the 19th century Villa Scotti.
> Villa Scotti
Towards Abbiategras we will cross a territory that is particularly fertile, well known in the Roman times as "Fat Valley", hence the name Abbiategrasso. In the middle of the old centre is a castle and remaining walls.
> Visconteo Castle
But the other surprises are reserved for a walk through the historic centre: from the Castle Square, along Via San Martino, we will pass by the building of Bank Agricola Mantovana.
> Casa Orsini di Roma
Continuing along the road we will arrive at Palazzo Pretorio
> Municipal palace
The arcades add character to the streets downtown and lead to the beautiful church of Santa Maria Nuova.
> Basilica of S. Maria Nuova
The Convento dell'Annunciata, the church and cloisters, just outside the centre, are now open to visitors after being returned to their former glory and inaugurated following a long period of restoration.
> The convent of the Annunciata
Back in Milan, the agricultural centre of Zelo Surrigone will make for a pleasant visit. Even though they have undergone expansion they have kept track of the old settlement, the village exit and the small Renaissance church of San Galdino.
> S. Galdino
Leaving behind the large crops of corn and rice farms, and on the way to Lorenteggio, there is a "street market" along with new serviced buildings including the Vodafone glass tower.
> Torre Vodafone