Knowing Milan and its province Ancient abbeys in the fertile plains of Lombardy
We will head south, through the fertile and irrigated land that in the past received its water supply from local sources called "fontanili" or "risorgive". Before leaving Milan we will pass a new neighbourhood built on areas that were once occupied by automobile plants and Iveco.
Passing Tangenziale West, a landscape that is still largely agricultural, we find Abbey Mirasole: founded by the Umiliati it is perhaps the least known among the abbeys which are located in south Milan. Along the way we will see Abbey of Viboldone then move onto the most famous Abbey of Chiaravalle. In the countryside around the abbeys monks according to reclamation works, introduced new crops and a landscape that has almost remained intact until the urbanization that took place in the last century. We will continue through the farmland of South Park, pass agricultural farms and villages, up to the outline of the Sole Melegnano Motorway. In the past this was the agricultural centre of the most important lower plains of Milan, it is now known to act as a barrier for the motorway to Bologna, the centre and south of Italy. But the signs of the past are still visible in the centre of Melegnano it can be seen particularly with Mediceo Castle, one of the most important monuments of the late Middle Ages Lombard, rich in frescoes and valuable icons.
On return to Milan we will travel along the historical route of via Emilia and through the centres of Vizzolo Predabissi, San Giuliano and San Donato Milanese. This is an area that, since the Second World War with the creation of housing in the city of Eni, Metanopoli, has a strong dynamic presence as a newly developed major industrial and service sector with a strong economic structure that works closely with that of Milan.
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.
IT