Provincia di Milano

Esposizione permanente sul Naviglio Grande

Villa Archinto - Il Castello

Also called "The Castle" because of its two crenellated towers, making this one of the most noticeable buildings in the Naviglio Grande. Begun between the 17th and 18th centuries, the design included a complex of four large buildings with a central block five storeys high, with four wings of the same height, an exedra for carriages to the village and a couple of wharves on the canal.

Details

myth, legends, curiosity: According to the folk tradition the villa was built on the occasion of a great party, and then knocked down in order to use its bricks for the construction of the Archinto palace in Milan
architect: Federico Pietrasanta
art period: the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries

Notes

A part of the Villa is used as a Library.
The villa hosts the first permanent exhibition dedicated to the Naviglio Grande canal. This is divided into two sections: the first summarises the most important moments from the origins to the construction of the Navigli canals. The second, on the other hand, contains a full visual documentation of the 20th century history of the canals and the villages on their banks. The exhibition can be visited during library opening hours - for groups and guided tours please contact 02 9470424 (Pro Loco).

Map

Info

Where

via
20087 Robecco sul Naviglio (MI)

Contact us

information and booking
telephone: +39 02 9470424 (Pro Loco of Robecco sul Naviglio)
Web site
info@proloco.robecco.org

For the visit

guided tour: Villa and exhibition for information +39 02 9470424 (Pro Loco)

Transports

Search routes and times of public transportation

People with motor disabilities

Completely accessible to the disabled

Images Gallery

Planning your trip

Getting here | Getting around | Sightseeing tours | Maps | Tourist Information offices

Stop

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