Milan parks and gardens. Parks in Milan, Italy

Parks and Gardens in Milan

Even though Milan is located in one of the most industrial regions of Italy, it's surrounded by a lot of green areas and features numerous gardens even in its very centre. In the north of the city you'll find the vast Parco Nord Milano and in the south Parco Agricolo Sud which is considered an important nature reserve not only for the city of Milan but for whole Lombardy. In the west, there's the unique Parco delle Cave (Sand pit park) established on a neglected site where gravel and sand used to be extracted. Slightly away from the city centre, heading east, you'll find Parco Forlanini with a beautiful lake and a few preserved shacks which remind of the region's agricultural past. No matter which direction you choose, eventually you'll come across a place where you can do sports or simply unwind.

Parco Solari
e-mail: info@agendamilano.com

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Located in the south-western quarters of inner Milan, Parco Solari is a small public park where the locals can take z break from their busy lives and get in touch with nature. The 60,000 square metres of greenery were conceived in the 1920s by the city planner Casiraghi along the Olona River. One of the reasons why Parco Solari belongs among the most frequently visited public parks in Milan is its covered swimming pool, designed by the architect Arrigo Arrighetti in 1963. Since the beginning of 2007, there is free Wi-Fi Internet access everywhere in the park. Moreover, for the traditionalists who prefer to sit on a bench with a good book, Parco Solari offers a public library as wełl. These communal facilities are surrounded by various trees including maple trees, cedars, magnolias, oaks and elm trees.

Parco delle Basiliche
e-mail: info@agendamilano.com

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Parco delle Basiliche is situated in the southern inner city of Milan which makes it very easily accessible even on foot. The name was given to the park because of its vicinity to the two prominent basilicas of Sant Eustorgio and San Lorenzo. Until 1840, the square was used for public hangings of condemned commoners. Not a very old park, Parco delle Basiliche has its roots in the city planning from 1934 when the authorities decided to clear up some of the buildings that surrounded the basilica San Lorenzo and also to drain the swampy land at the behind the church.
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Parco Ravizza
e-mail: posta@parcoravizza.it
Website: http://www.parcoravizza.it
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The southern part of Milan features its own green space for the citizens and visitors of the great city to have their rest. Carrying the name of the benefactress Alessandra Ravizza, the small, about 35 square metres large Parco Ravizza provides a peacuful and quiet retreat from the hustle of the city. Planned at the end of the 19th Century with the great reconstructions of Milan city planning, the park was finally ready in 1905. The very concept of Parco Ravizza arose as the quick urbanisation processes were taking place at the end of 19th Century. This explains why the park was planned on the initially agricultural land. Where nowadays trees such as maples, elms, oaks and platens grow once the Camporicco shack stood.

Parco Nord Milano
Phone: +39 2 24 10 161 e-mail: info@parconord.milano.it
Website: http://www.parconord.milano.it
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Parco Nord Milano is a large green area stretching on over 620 hectares within the city limits and reaching beyond Milan as well. Partially, it comprises former industrial and uncultivated lands that together with other areas considered worth preserving were turned into a park in 1975. The park features a great diversity of landscape; walking along its numerous meandering alleys you'll pass through regular woods, see glimmering lakes, meadows overgrown with many different kinds of flowers. You'll also walk up the hill and come down to picturesque valleys. What's more, there are some historical buildings that a tourist might consider visiting – Villa Manzoni in Cormano and Villa Torretta in Sesto San Giovanni.
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Giardini Pubblici
e-mail: paolo.colussi@rcm.inet.it

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Giardini Pubblici (The Public Gardens) is a wonderful garden complex in the heart of Milan offering a refuge from the city bustle and pleasant views of the well-manicured garden facilities. The more than 170,000 square metres large area covers the central parts of the city between the Venice Door and the streets of Palestro and Manin, which is very convenient for anyone just passing through to catch some rest there. The Public Gardens take pride in being the first designated communal park in Milan, and their namesake is renowned journalist and writer Indro Montanelli. The presence of an old villa and museum on the gardens’ premises makes them even more attractive for a great number of visitors. Moreover, Giardini Pubblici mirrors an epoch of Milanese art through the numerous magnificent sculptures, designed by many celebrity citizens of Milan. The wide range of tree species also adds to the atmosphere of this wonderful facility.
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Parco ex Trotter
Phone: +39 2 8969 2446

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Parco ex Trotter is a very interesting green space mainly because of its former usage as a horse racing ground, just like its name indicates. Situated in the Milan zone Turro, this park still holds the marks of the horse racing under the tree-lined alley, also very comfortable for cycling, walking and jogging. The races, which were taking place on the spot from the start of 1900 until 1924, were moved to another place. The Ex Trotter Park was opened to the public in the 1970s and is about 99,000 square metres large. A school for children with tuberculosis called Casa del Sole (House of the Sun) is also to be found on the park’s premises. Because of the vicinity of this school and thanks to other factors, Parco ex Trotter is a very lively park with various events happening all the time – mostly of ecological nature but also performances are given in the adjacent theatre Teatro nel Trotter (Theatre in Trotter).

Parco Pallavicino
e-mail: direzione@parcozoopallavicino.it	Price: 6 - 9 EUR
Website: http://www.parcozoopallavicino.it/
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A bit farther away from the city centre of Milan, Parco Pallavicino is situated in the north-west, near a larger green space – the National Park Della Val Grande which is not far away from Italy’s northern border. Parco Pallavicino has a small surface of less than 90,000 square metres but it is divided into several parts. Parco Pallavicino occupies the territory where originally the western rail road belt was located but since the 1960s the public green space was planned here. Despite the stone wall that encircles the facility to keep the wild animals within its borders, the park is free to access. Indeed, sheep, goats and other animals roam freely within Parco Pallavicino and are not afraid of people. The flora also attracts one’s attention with its wonderful variety of species, including maple trees, birches, hawthorns, red oaks, poplars and magnolias.

Parco Baravalle
e-mail: info@agendamilano.com

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Very close to the city centre of Milan you'll find Parco Baravalle (Baravalle Park) providing both locals and visitors to this part of town with some nature they need to rest from everyday busy life. Parco Baravalle covers the small area of 42,000 square metres but provided it’s the only green space in the area visitors of all ages use it quite frequently as it offers not only a peaceful time to the parents but also space for children to play freely. Parco Baravelle carries the name of the Milan neighbourhood that used to exist on the spot 50 years ago. The park was created in the 1960s according to the city plan that foresaw the so much needed green space. Unfortunately the quarter of Baravelle had to be run down to make room for the new facility and nowadays the only traces of it are the tree-lined alleys that were streets once. The kinds of trees range from maples and elms to oaks. Baravalle Park also serves communal needs as there is a Civic Centre and a school on its premises.

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