You can walk or cycle throughout these little paths and enjoy this magic garden… There is a twisting lake, small bridges, a little temple dedicated to the God of Love and some secret caverns! A small waterfall pouring into a little stream… You can’t cross the fence, but if you look carefully you can see ducks, goslings and carps paddling in the pond!
Don’t miss it during autumn, you will be surprised! Once at the bottom, turn around and admire the magnificence of the villa facade… Just one family lived here… But how many of them?
It was built about 300 years ago for the Belgioioso family, then it became Napoleon’s house and finally Milan’s municipality property… Thank god! Otherwise, you couldn’t have visited these beautiful gardens! There is also a little playground area for the regular visitors: children! So be careful with your bikes not to hurt them! Also remember that no adult can enter without you!
Alas, dogs can’t enter here but straight in front of you, at the Public Gardens, everything is allowed! If you have enjoyed this peaceful oasis and you want to take a stroll in this area, you must know that in here – entering in Via Palestro – you will find another beautiful palace: PAC – padiglione di arte contemporanea (Contemporary Art Pavilion)… You have to buy a ticket but – if you are grown-up – it is worth a visit. Just check if there is something interesting for you!
And if you are hungry we advise you some places – inside and outside the gardens – where you can have a break, a sandwich or a packed lunch for a fair price because as you may know… This area is beautiful but expensive too! (Bar Bianco, Caveja Piadinerie, Latteria Carlon, pasticceria/panetteria di A. Giordano, Zoppi&Gallotti)
From here, if you want to take a stroll… Manoxmano advises you to have a look – in via dei Cappuccini 3 – between the railings… You will feel to be in a small Caribbean island, indeed – among the lush foliage – you can spot a beautiful pink flamingos colony that – with the passing of time – have adapted to Milan climate: they safely breed and they are not afraid anymore of humans because they are used to be spied on by passers-by for many many years!
200 meters far from here, in via Serbelloni 10, you can see a strange and huge marble ear that – hear ye – was used almost 100 years ago as a doorbell thanks to the propagation of sound… Alas, to date this sculpture is the only hint survived!
USEFUL INFORMATION
Opening times:
Open from May to October from 9am till 10am
Open from November to April from 9am till 4pm
How to get there:
tram line 1-9
bus line 61-94
tube line M1 Palestro-Porta Venezia / M3 Repubblica-Turati
