The tour of Milan was incredible, and whoever is thinking of going to visit it, don't think too much, just do it, visit Milan.
Milan is a city that offers a lot. Even though it is not a big city, you will see a lot of fashion, history, you will get to know a new culture, and you will eat Italian food. At the same time, you will visit Venice, because Milan has canals that are very reminiscent of those in Venice. But also, if you love nature, Milan has a beautiful park, full of greenery. There is no noise there, no heavy air for your lungs, there is a small lake with fish, a huge lawn where people go for picnics, hang out, and take their pets for a walk.
You will experience a real adventure!
Parco Sempione
There is a place in Milan where everything stops, and the city forgets about the noise of cars, about the polluted air, and all you can hear is the chirping of birds. That place is Parco Sempione, a vast green space nestled between the past and the present, between Castello Sforzesco and the Arco della Pace, between history and everyday life.
You may have found it by chance, looking for shade on a summer day. Perhaps you came here on purpose, guided by a map. But once you step among its trees, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary park. This is the center of Milan, the cleanest center.
As soon as you enter the park, you are greeted by a mixture of nature sounds, the rustling of leaves underfoot, the barking of a dog in the distance, the laughter of children intertwined with the wind, greenery, and a lake with all kinds of fish.
People sit on the grass, alone, in pairs, in groups. Some exchange snacks and sips of wine, others just look at the treetops, allowing themselves to do nothing for a moment. In the distance, a child's bicycle without spare wheels and a laughing father running behind it.
There is no rush. No one is rushing here. Parco Sempione seems to teach you that it's perfectly okay to stop.
catfish
Japanese carp
How the park came into being
Parco Sempione was created at the end of the 19th century, on an area that once served as a military field in the shadow of Castello Sforzesco. Urbanist Emilio Alemagna was tasked with creating something that would be more than an ordinary park, it would be a space that combines nature, art and everyday life.
Inspired by English gardens, Alemagna envisioned flowing paths, an artificial lake, bridges and spaces for walking and contemplation. Today, the park occupies more than 38 hectares and is named after the historic road Strada del Sempione, which connects Milan to the Alps.
On the one hand, Castello Sforzesco stands as a witness of the centuries, it is a powerful fortress that guarded dukes, artists, the army and works of art. Today, its massive wall seems to be guarding the park, it is like an older brother who observes and watches over everything and is always there.
At the other end, in the distance, rises elegantly the Arco della Pace. The triumphal gate that witnessed Napoleon, kings and changes throughout the centuries. Her gaze goes straight through the park, as if monitoring everything that happens in between.
Parco Sempione is not only a link between these two monuments, it is a space between the past and the everyday, a place that connects those who lived here centuries before us with those who are now just sitting on a bench drinking coffee.
In the middle of the park is the Arena Civica, a historic stadium built in 1807. Once a place for military parades and horse races, today it is a venue for sporting events and concerts. Next to it is the Triennale di Milano, a design and art museum, in an elegant building that opens onto the park.
Torre Branca, a metal observation tower from 1933, is also nearby. If you climb to the top, which you can do in a minute by elevator, you will get a panoramic view of the whole of Milan, and on clear days you can even see the Alps. Unfortunately, I didn't do it, but I'm sure one day.
In every corner of the park, there is a personal scene, whether it's a child laughing, a girl lying on the grass with a book, a dog playing with other dogs, a couple sharing ice cream, or students studying on a blanket. All these images together make Parco Sempione a living canvas, which changes with time, but never fades.
The trees here are not just decorations. They are witnesses. Some trees have been there longer than many lifetimes, silent but always present. The lawns are so large that you can always find your own corner of peace, even though you are in the center of one of the most dynamic cities in Europe.
Parco Sempione is not a tourist attraction that you "must see". It is a space to be experienced. You will not find guided tours or a public address system with historical facts here. Instead, you will find something more important, these are moments of silence, small human stories and space to just be present.
Whether you are a traveller, a local, an artist, a couple in love, a parent, a student or someone who simply loves nature, I think Parco Sempione is a place that will welcome you. Without expectations, but with open branches.
I hope you enjoyed reading and looking at the photos. I enjoyed making this blog, I hope you did too. Until next time, "Regards!"