VisitaMilano

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.

Between Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese

During this itinerary, we will discover the tenth province of Milan that unfurls on the land between Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese. If the origin of Naviglio Grande dates back to the 12th century, then this makes the establishment of Naviglio of Pavia more complicated. Although the idea dates back to Visconti, the first attempt to make a channel between Milan and Pavia between the 16th and 17th was a failure, it was only under Napoleon that the project was completed. Leaving Milan and towards the south-west will pass through the area via Savona and via Tortona, an area with an industrious past that in the last two decades has become a fashionable district. Continuing along the Naviglio Grande we will enter the vast territory of South Park Agricultural Milan: A park that combines the preservation and protection of the area, defending all aspects of agriculture and it's economic landscape. Sixty-one towns about a third of the province, create a green belt south of Milan, which connects the Ticino park with the Adda valley. Crossing the lush countryside we arrive at all'Abbazia Morimondo and village, an area where the work of the Cistercian monks is made visible along the landscape until Ticino. The route along the countryside is abundant with water, canals and rice fields. We will pass the centres of Rosate, Fallavecchia, Binasco right up to Zibido San Giacomo where, we will find ourselves amongst new neighbourhoods and productive areas, from here we go back to Milan. In a region characterized by the presence of water, the journey ends with a plant which treats and cleans the water used by Milanese or the Purifier of San Rocco, situated west along the ring road, in the territory of Milan.

Castles and fortresses at the Ticino

Leaving Milan and heading in the direction of the north-west, along the historic Napoleon route, we will see a token of Milan's industrial past: il Portello. An area once occupied by Alfa Romeo factories, that is now taking shape as a modern residential district enriched by a large new urban park. Leaving Milan behind, we will continue along Highway 33 Sempione, taking the old main road that leads to Lake Maggiore, and arrive in Rho. An ancient village that has maintained its flavour of the past in its centre and best known today for hosting the new Fair, they have have managed to marry this past with the present. Continuing along the Highway of Simpione, we will arrive at the large metropolis of the Olona valley, formed by Legnano, Busto Arsizio and Gallarate centres. An urbanized area that draws its origins from industries launched in the first half of the 19th century, especially in the textile and cotton sectors, but that strengths its vocation with the introduction of the steam engine and electricity. Legnano also sees its industrial past linked to the name Franco Tosi, a mechanics company that was formed in 1876 and that stayed amongst the main Italian manufacturers of turbines and steam boilers. The need for so much electricity is partly satisfied by the historical power plant of Turbigo, which can be seen from the bridge of Naviglio together along with the sight of old houses and factories. Here we are already within the Ticino Park territory, near the Turin-Milan Highway. Between Rho, with its new exhibition centre and Malpensa airport, this part of Milanese territory will undergo major development over the next few years, in order to strengthen the infrastructure between the capital's international hub and its welcomed new settlements and services.

Castles and villages on the Adda River

The itinerary takes place between higher and lower plains around Milan, towards the Adda river and its park. Upon leaving Milan, we will cross an area that is scantly inhabited, also because of the Linate airport, the Idroscalo with its park. We will reach Segrate, one of the main towns East of Milan. Starting in the 1970s, Segrate has become a location for many corporate offices, particularly in the publishing and IT industries. Residential neighbourhoods such as Milan 2 and San Felice have helped to transform the area's farming heritage. Further South, new urban areas such as Paullese are be built. However, there are still observable traces of history through the castles, forts and ancient villas. Near Peschiera, many logistic and distribution centres serve the airport. Taking advantage of their proximity to the Linate airport. After Paullo, the Parco dell'Adda commences, with forests and poplar groves intermittent across open fields. A winding road along the river acts as a passage through the scarcely built landscape where you spot farmhouses and discover unexpected villages, such as Corneliano Bertario with its Borromeo castle. We will then reach Cassano d'Adda, an ancient strategic control point on the river, rich in historic villas. Returning to Milan on Highway 11. Passing by Inzago, where the Martesana and Villoresi canals originate. Another centre rich in history with villas once belonging to aristocrats. We will travel through an area rich in infrastructures, accessible by Milan's underground line 2, well outside of the city.

Great Noble Villas in Groane Regional Park

Along the route to Milan's north, are some of the most important areas that are undergoing major urban development. The sector of the city from Bovisa to Quarto, was heavily used for industrial purposes, now operations have ceased in order for new developments to take place: new houses, new green areas, historical parks completely restored, and the recovery of facilities previously closed to the population. Therefore, the large factories in Bosiva have been transformed into classrooms and laboratories for the various faculties of an engineering school. There are other new buildings along the avenue that have also been converted. Following, the Milan-Torino route and heading to Saronno, we will reach the Castellazzo di Bollate, also known as Villa Arconati, on a warm evening during July you can see a beautiful concert starring famous international artists Here we are at the gates of Groane Park, a protected area that has over 3,400 acres of woods and meadows, considered as very precious greenery in the metropolitan area of Milan. The regional park, established in 1976, gets its name from the natural terraces, that sit a few meters higher than the other surrounding plains, consisting of glacial land and clay, this is Groane precisely . The natural beauty of the park extends to the precious villas belonging to aristocrats that can be found in this part of the plains that are crossed by the Channel Villoresi waters. The historical dwellings with high chimneys from the many furnaces that characterize the area alternate with the many tracks created by mankind in past eras . The major development of this area undertaken post-war rescued these beautiful villas. Villa Visconti Villa Borromeo Litta in Lainate with its famous water features and Villa Arese Borromeo in Cesano Maderno, in the brianteo territory, together with their gardens make a great impression on the land in the north of Milan.

Historic Centres, Near Magenta

The route starts from one of the best-known places in Milan, touching for the tourists who love football: the historical stadium San Siro, now named after Giuseppe Meazza. Leaving the city, we will pass through the large green areas of Trenno Park and Boscoincittà, the road Novara becomes Highway 11. Acting as a border, between the more urbanized area and industrial dry plains to the north, is a passage that has strong signs of the traditional Lombard countryside and its irrigated plains to the south. Among ancient villages and new residential neighbourhoods we will cross Settimo Milanese, Sedriano, Corbetta with its extraordinary villas, and then onto to Magenta, a main town on the plains west of Milan. It is here on the 4 June 1859 we executed the important Battle of Magenta.Franco-piemontesi claiming victory over the Austrians, allowing Napoleon III to enter Milan and representing the first step towards the unification of Italy. Continuing west and then crossing the Naviglio close to Ponte Vecchio we will enter the heart of Ticino Park, the first regional park and river in Italy, created in 1974 to protect the river and its natural habitats by an increasingly heavy attack of industry and urbanization. The park, which stretches from Sesto Calende up until Pavia, protects an area rich in nature, art and history as well as a rich ecosystem. In closing the route, on return to Milan, is another symbol of the city: a historical symbol that is renowned, for its extraordinary architectural appearance and in the new headquarters outside the city. The new Milan Exhibition Centre that covers a large area, is the basis used to represent the revival and regeneration of the whole metropolitan area and region.

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.