Discover Milano

Rooftop view : Palazzo Lombardia

Federica Raggio — Wed, 06 May 2015 16:49:45 +0000

If you are a well off fellow, you can easily decide to rent a helicopter and fly above Milano to experience a 360° tour.
It will include all major buildings that make the new skyline a not to be missed event, Alp sightseeing from the distance but not so far away, sunrise, sunset and delivery to the best rooftop restaurant. If you belong to those who hate flying or have scottish genes instead, you can experience such a thrill from one of the many rooftops open to the public. Milano has plenty of availability.

Porta Nuova Varesine and checking perspectives over Stazione Centrale

Architectural talks Paparazzi

Amongst the many, I would not miss the chance to visit Palazzo Lombardia’s 39th floor. This is an administrative building and exceptional openings to the public during EXPO and free of charge are available, on Sundays only, from 10am to 6pm.
The location is perfect for an architectural aerial tour. If you extend your arm, you can almost touch any of the top in Porta Nuova, Isozaki Tower in City Life seems aroud the corner, flowering trees on Bosco Verticale would release their scent to your nose if only you could open any window up there. Titanic Stazione Centrale may look like a marble caterpillar sneaking downtown.

Across Bosco Verticale and Unicredit Tower

Beyond Porta Nuova Garibaldi and Torre Unicredit-Bosco Verticale

Milano is your oyster from Palazzo Lombardia top floor. Anyone can discover one’s favourites but for those who linger, decals on the windows will help decoding most of the iconic buildings.
In a matter of a moment one realizes that Milano is a wonderful place to tour by bike or feet. Any place is not that far, there are no uphills and much sightseeing is at hand in any neighbourhood.

Around the corner from Porta Nuova Varesina

Grattacielo Pirelli and Stazione Centrale

A few steps from the here, american artist Agnes Denes’ “Wheatfiled” gives the sign of the passing of time turning its colours across the seasons. More info here.
Around the premises, “The Rock Trail” (more details here) is also an installation by milanese artist Andrea Forges Davanzati
Isola, Porta Nuova and Brera Districts are down to earth, around the corner.

Palazzo Lombardia
Piazza Città di Lombardia
open on SUNDAY only – until October 2015
Free entry 10am-6pm

To get there
M 2 GIOIA
M 5 ISOLA

Guido De Zan and the extraordinary beauty of ceramic

Federica Raggio — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:57:12 +0000

I have to admit. Since I started publishing for this blog, Milano has opened unexpected doors to extraordinary people and revealed outstanding places.
It happened again, around the corner, one of the many Milano offers.
A few metres off Corso di Porta Ticinese,a road always in a state of frenzy day and night, there is a quiet and still street, Via Pio IV. It is here that Guido De Zan, Master and Poet of ceramic, stoneware and porcelain has his Atelier and Workshop.

Guido De Zan in his atelier and workshop with some of his work

He belongs to the generation of artists and designers with a profound intellectual background. He is an explorer and he reaches the shape working slowly crossing fields of imagination, creativity and experience.
His production has no equal and every piece is unique because Guido uses no frames or moulds. His hands are the only tools mastering shapes out of a cube of clay under the guidance of his skilled experience and emotions.

De Zan works not only on the shape. He is very keen on tactile experiences also and a all his pieces have a skin
His graphic passion dresses his works with marks drawn directly on the surface experimenting a condition of tactile vision.

His production is endless. There is a variety of pieces, any of each has a story behind.
Vases, architectural specimen of milanese iconic buildings, landscapes, little theatres, home decor, framed panels, sculptures, bijoux, porcelain postacards.
It is impossible to leave this atelier with empty hands or without a gift for beloved and friends, or for one own self.

Guido De Zan
Via Pio IV, 3
www.guidodezan.it

Maciachini Center : Milan is expanding

Federica Raggio — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 15:10:07 +0000

I love this city and all the unexpected that it gives away every day, for free, to all those who can use enough imagination and have spirit of adventure, or simply have a keen eye on uncommon details.

If you want to see some very sharp differences and contrasts between present and past, in a neighbourhood where white-collars and working class run into each other everyday, this is the place.

On former Carlo Erba grounds, when the pharmaceutical Company was based north-west of Milan, a business city is rising.
Rolled like dices in the middle of nowhere, it will take sometime before this complex will mould with its surroundings.
MAC1234, MAC 567 MAC 9. The buildings have names that sound like ingredients in protein bars or in astronauts’ food.
Architects involved in the project are good names, from both local and international teams:

Fitness Centre designed by Italo Rota (also known for Museo del 900)

MAC 1234 Maurice Kanah

MAC 567 buildings developed by German team of Sauerbruch+Hutton

MAC 9 Scandurra Studio (also known for EXPO Gate)

While the entire neighbourhood houses a substantial Muslim community, Maciachini Center hosts Headquarters of a number of Companies as well as a Virgin fitness centre with a cosmopolitan allure.
Concrete, corten steel and coloured glazed facades with sharp shapes, and alternation of courtyards and paths are the main theme. Despite the difference with the surrounding, the complex is somehow smoothly inserted. The first time that I walked around the premises, I did not feel the violation of the community, I did only experience the contrast with the frame, very much a people’s place.

Chimneys are still memories of industrial past. Architectures facing the frame

Former industrial area in full conversion Dergano-Bovisa district is just around the corner but the whole area is still looking for its real soul : a real melting pot full of great handicraft, intellectual talents, and a population variety to enhance this area the search of a new expression.

Last but not least, another reason that might pull you so far, it is the view of Milano’s skyline from far away. The small size of the city and its flat plan, makes the new silhouette intriguing when poping up from the distance at the far end of a long road.

Unicredit Tower and Diamond Tower from Via Valtellina

To get there
M3 Maciachini

Tips for foodies on the go
Try any of the Cafè-Bistrot within the complex or choose among the many halal corners on Via Imbonati.
A valid alternative is to go back to trendy Quartiere Isola, only a few hundred meters away.

Luigi Moretti : mid-rise in Corso Italia

Federica Raggio — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 11:31:10 +0000

Today, contemporary architecture has almost no limits in matters of shapes and structures, but in the ‘50s experimentation was just dawning, and Italy was not exactly amongst the avant-garde Countries. Neverthelss economical boom of those years started the process that made Milano a high-rise city unique in Italy.

Contrast between contemporary and ancient – Residential portion and Sant’Eufemia Church

Walking distance from the Duomo, around the corner from Torre Velasca and Università Statale, off high street shopping of frenzy Via Torino, rising from the granite slates of Corso Italia there is a one of those samples worth a mention.

Luigi Moretti (1907-1973) is the architect who authored this amazing building. He might be internationally reknowned for being the one who designed the shocking Watergate Complex in Washington DC, USA; but at that time it was only possible to work on a much more modest scale in Milano city centre, hopefully.

Those Lego® like mid-rise towers are distributed among five buildings, all different in terms of shape, hight and orientation on this irregular site (probably a result of World War II bombings) very difficult to infill.
The jutting portion is a great sample of experimental and groundbreaking presence in the middle of a XIX cen. neighbourhood.

In this complex program of housing, commercial and office use, public and private courtyards and streets alternate stretching horizontally around the nieghbourhood. It is possible to walk around with kindness bearing in mind you are mostly on private property.
You can either step in from Corso Italia and start and swirling around. You should then find your way out on the back of Sant’ Eufemia Church, or vice-versa.

Corso Italia, 13-17, Milano,1949 -1955
to get there
M1-M3 Duomo
M3 Missori

Tips for foodies on the go
The heart of food tradition and historic shops to die for are just around the corner. A few block heading towards the Duomo you will meet on the left Via Speronari, la Via del Gusto (Taste District)
Caffè Vergiano for a coffee, Panarello the patisserie, Princi the Baker come in this sequense.

Crossing via Torino, Via Spadari houses Peck THE Dely shop in town, Patisseries like Ladurèe and Noberasco, Ciacco for an icecream, as well as sweetshop Giovanni Galli in via Cantù, opposite to Peck Cafè which is open from breakfast till aperitivo. In via V.Hugo, Michelin-starred restaurant Cracco for gourmand on the go.

Let’s go fishing, the best fish in town for lunch only
Premiata Pescheria Spadari – Via Spadari, 4

Vegetarian treat
La vecchia latteria Vegetariana – Via Unione, 6

The best burger and more
Al Mercato – Via Sant’Eufemia, 16

Via Canova, 7. Architectural tips around Milan

Federica Raggio — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 16:52:54 +0000

Milano is the perfect city for endless strolls that might take you by surprise.
What makes my city out of the ordinary in Italy comes from a struggle. World War II bombings tore most of it down, but 50’s and 60’s economical boom gave a worth hint to reconstruction and a tangible trace of architectural innovation that has no equal in Italy.

If you happen to be in Parco Sempione/Arco della Pace/Triennale area, then it would be worth walking a few hundred yards to the edge of the park to via Canova.
Numer 7 houses a building only apparently like many others in Milano. From the distance it may look like an ugly faceless building from the ‘50s.
Nothing to catch anybody’s attentions or curiousity.

oops that looks ugly from far away!

Do get closer, and closer, and closer. Until your nose hits the entrance fence. And you will find out why.
This anonymous steel concrete structure unveils a rather unusual nine storeys façade with cast decors by Arnaldo (the artist father of “Sphere within Sphere” 1996, United Nations headquarters building in New York City.) and his brother Giò Pomodoro.

Mold decors on the façade and under the balconies

At a closer look also the tiny jitting balconies bare trace of their art.
The sculpture in the entrance outer hall and the front door decor are both by the same artists.

Pomodoro’s sculptures in the entrance

Belotti, Boraschi, Invernizzi, the team of Architects that designed the building, are less known to the most but they are worth a mention as part of the architectural history of Milan.

You might even plan a tour on Segway leading over there!

Tips for foodies on the go
If you want to stick to a steak
Seven – Via Gherardini, 1

If you fancy a curry
Ristorante Tara – Via D.Cirillo, 16

From breakfast till late
Living – Piazza Sempione, 2
Pandenus – Via Melzi d’Eril, 3

Villa della Porta Bozzolo : fancy and sophsticated country life near Varese

Federica Raggio — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 11:19:57 +0000

Villa della Porta Bozzolo is another FAI Property close to Milano.
Another gem that makes one wish to spend endless time strolling around the country.

The first structure of the Villa dates back XVI cen. During the XVIII cen. transformations on a large scale took place to celebrate owner Gian Angelo III della Porta’s wedding. The effects are still visible in the relationship between the Villa and its garden. The layout is “all’italiana”. Stairways, water features, follies design the garden but the main axis is parallel to the facade rather than frontal as it always is. The effect provided is very atypical and curious. This was the only to way to face the steepness of the site and the weird angle between hill and House.

Baroque Garden in front of the House : Lemon trees, Roses, stairways

Half way between the House and the woodland, on top of the baroque stairway to heaven, an amphitheatre with a fountain dominates the valley below. The dark green of cipreses mark sharply the immaculate green lawns that might give the impression of being somewhere in Scotland.

Stairs and Cipreses leading to the fountain

From the end of XVIII the Estate passed from one hand to the other, untill 1989 when it became a FAI belonging at all effects.
Fancy and sophstiated country life in this perfectly preserved manor house open to the public all year round. The agenda is full of events, a good reason to plan a tour.
The inside of the house is a magnificent example of luxurious country living. The kitchen on the ground floor is spectacular with its original clay tiles floor. The frescoed ceilings of any other room will mark a deep trace in your memory of northern Italy country living. The view across the garden from any of the first floor windows will force you to profound breathing.
Portions of what once was the farm are also open to the public.

Any season is seductive in Villa Bozzolo. Crocuses blooming at the end of the winter is one of the “must see” event. Then comes the time for roses and hydrangeas blooming in may. Specimen of Olea frangrans will welcome autumn taking your breath away around september/october. Also during winter the garden is overwhleming, when misty mornings wait for a pale sun to show up to brighten all the silhouettes scattered around the curvy land.

The scottish lawn towards the fountain

The cafeteria-bistrot is irresistible during mild season. It is lovely to seat al fresco with fresh coffee flavour in the air, the sound of steps on gravel, early morning birds greeting yopu on a spring day while the sun is warming up the day. All this really makes you dream, the world can still be a better place.

Roses in bloom towards the Cafeteria

To reach the place, one can either use a car or public trasnport : by train from Milano/Varese to Cittiglio and then a bus from Cittiglio to Casalzuigno. This last alternative will make the journey adventurous as public trasport in Italy can be….ever heard anything about this topic? If no, test it yourself !

How to get there
By rail: Milan branch of LeNORD train services: get off at Cittiglio station and take the Autolinee Varesine s.r.l. bus service. To Casalzuigno – Villa della Porta Bozzolo
For trains timetable browse www.trenord.it
Buses Cittiglio-Casalzuigno run every hour on week days, less frequently during the weekends

Vegetarian, Vegan, Veg friendly – Food for all in Milano

Federica Raggio — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 15:42:57 +0000

Being a vegetarian or vegan in Milano can be tricky. Unless one can handle a few good tips and an adequate list of friendly venues.
Considering the overall offer, veg-vegan-veg friendly places are not that many and not always easy to spot.
Any Pizzeria, indian or middle eastern reastaurant will have a good selection of choices, but if you are looking for a more typical and elaborate alternative to pizza, sandwich and spicy food, this is a rough but detailed list of places that will help.
Every now and often I will make sure to update it.

Milanese hosts can seem rude and always too busy to listen to special needs, but they have a big heart. Most of the times it happens that they will struggle to help with tailored made dishes. This is what my requests frequently discover. Just smile and ask.

al fresco - Via Savona 50

Taglio - Via Vigevano 10

Taverna Roma - Via F.lli Bronzetti 11

PaninoLab - Via Montevideo 8

Isa & Vane - Via Perugino 1

Zazà Ramen - Via Solferino 48

Mamma Oliva - Via V.Monti 33

Pavè - Via F.Casati 27

Ratanà - Via G.de Castillia 28

Joia - Via P.Castaldi 18

100% VEGETARIAN
Restaurant

Joia – Michelin starred Chef Pietro Leemann
Via P.Castaldi, 18 – T.02 295 22 124 – www.joia.it -▼Porta Nuova-Buenos Aires
Joia is an experience that any gourmand vegetarian should try once in a life time, once in Milano.
If dinner sounds unaffordale, try the bistrot for lunch, but do not miss a stop in Leemann’s heaven

Vecchia Latteria Vegetariana
Via Unione, 6 – T.02 874401 – www.lavecchialatteria.com -▼Duomo-Via Torino
This tiny trattoria offers very traditional milanese kitchen in its “happy cow” edition. All the food is fresh, tasty and cooked like home.
Open for lunch only, a few steps from the Duomo off busy via Torino.
Could have one-evening-a-week aperitivo opening, but check as it is a seasonal appointment.

FULLY VEGETARIAN & VEGAN
Resataurant

Alhambra
Via S.Gregorio, 17 – T. 329.6041380 – www.alhambra.it -▼ Buenos Aires

Ghea
Via Valenza,5 T. 02.58110980 – www.ghea.it -▼Navigli District
Lunch can either be à la carte or from the buffet. Both alternatives are mouth watering and very assorted.
Dinner is à la carte only and of great standing.

Trattoria Noi Due
Via Col di Lana,1 T. 02 5810 1593 – www.trattorianoidue.it -▼Navigli District
Just like home. This is the neighbourhood dining room. Friendly and caring, though a bit too relaxed (i.e. slow service!). But averuthing is fresch and prepared with a lot of care.

Osteria del 55
Via Messina, 55 – T. 0249752286 – www.osteriaal55.it -▼Cenisio-Monumentale
I have only tried it once for lunch time and the choice was very limited.
For dinner it is absouletly stunning either for the taste and for your eyes, you would not belive what a veggie can look like!

Govinda
Via Valpetrosa, 5 – T. 02 862417 -▼Duomo-Via Torino
Very Hare-Hare, Krishna-Krishna, an institution in town. Off bustling via Torino, this is a shortcut to mistic India. You need to get the membership card, but it is worth a try.

Mudra – middle eastern food -▼Navigli-Ticinese District
P.zza XXIV Maggio,8 – T. 3454512459 – www.mudramilano.com

Bistrot
Uscio e Bottega
Via Ronchi, 39 – T. 02. 2154819 – www.uscioebottega.com -▼Duomo-Via Torino

Bio Bistrot
Viale Monte Nero 35 – T. 3394483265 – www.biobistrot.altervista.org -▼Porta Romana

Radice Tonda
Via Spallanzani, 16 – T. 02 36737924 -▼Porta Venezia-Buenos Aires
Piazza Buozzi, 5 – T. 02 36736669
www.radicetonda.it
A bistrot that serves mostly food from the buffet. A good selection of soups that will help during cold winter days and a lovely al fresco seating during tha mild season on a pedestrian road that makes you forget you are a few steps away from rushy Corso Buenos Aires.

Centro Macrobiotico- 100% Vegan -▼Duomo-Via Larga
Via Larga, 7 – T. 02.5830 7416 – www.centromacrobioticomilanese.it

Cibo’ – 100% Vegan -▼Porta Venezia-Viale Abruzzi
Via Maiocchi, 23 – T. 02.20242299
Belongs to a chain, fresh food but everything comes from the buffet and is heated on demand.

Mens Sana – 100% Vegan
Check online different locations around town
Same as above

Rosmarino – 100% Vegan
Viale Pasubio, 16 – T. 02-39663211 ▼Porta Garibaldi
And again

Universo Vegano- 100% Vegan Street Food
Ripa P.ta Ticinese, 29 ▼Porta Ticinese
Via Solferino, 41 – T. 345 3467433 – www.universovegano.it – 100% Vegan Street Food ▼Porta Garibaldi-Brera District

TRADITIONAL BUT VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY
Restaurant
Al Pont de Ferr – Michelin starred Chef Matias Perdomo
Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 55 – T.02 8940 6277 – www.pontdeferr.it – ▼Navigli District
On the Naviglio Grande, this one of the Restaurants that a gourmand should not miss while in Milano. But if it happens that a vegetarian pal is along for dinner, do not panic and gently ask for the Chef’s help. It happend to me that a masterpiece with fresh flowers appeared by magic from the kitchen. The selection of cheeses and wines is outstanding.

Ratanà
Via de Castillia,28 – T.02 8712 8855 – www.ratana.it – ▼Isola District-Porta Garibaldi
Excellent restaurant, one of the best in town. Local food prepared with a twist of imagination and creativity. Easy going for lunch, more formal for dinner. Next to Porta Nuova District on the edges of vibrant Quartiere Isola. Vegetarians have a good choice from the menu, but it happened that a special request to adjust my pick was warmly welcomed, even if I am not a regular customer.

Latteria Maffucci – local food
Via Maffucci, 24 – T. 02 375614- ▼Bovisa District
I had lunch with a friend once last summer. We were very late, I am vegetarian and this is a trattoria in the working class suburbs of Bovisa (a lot of industrial architecture there is worth a visit and a great ’50s Church right in front of the place makes the trip worth).
I was welcomed like a member of the family and they made anything possible. Very friendly and great taste.

Samson – Ethiopian kitchen
Via Melzo, 28 – T. 02 201 221 -▼Porta Venezia-Buenos Aires

Usman – Indian
Via Castaldi, 27 – T. 02.91433141 -▼Porta Venezia-Buenos Aires

Baluba
Via Foldi, 1 – T. 02.9288.8379 – www.balubabar.net

Ciriboga
Via Savona, 10 T. 02 832 2496 -▼Tortona District
In the heart of Tortona District this is a very nice and eclectic restaurant. A good choice for a vegetarian with omnivorous friends, or vice versa…

Taglio
Via Vigevano,10 – T. 02 3653 4294 – www.taglio.me -▼Tortona- Navigli District
Between Navigli and Tortona District, Taglio is a magic box : breakfast, lunch, aperitivo, wine bar, dinner, after dinner, deli shop, groucer, butcher, cheese shop, wine shop. You name it, they are.

Trattoria della Gloria
Via Pichi,5 – T. 02 4547 4710 -▼Navigli District

Capra & Cavoli
Via Cola Montano, 18 corner Pastrengo T. 02 8706 6093 – www.capraecavolimilano.it-▼Isola District
If you want to feel in the middle of a garden, do step in. Bold and beautyful this room gives you the feeling of waking up in the West Indies during Queen Victoria Reign. From the buffet or à la cart any choice is a lush and luscious journey for the palate for any taste, orientation, vow.

Refettorio Simplicitas
Via dell’Orso, 2 T. 02 890.966.64 – www.refettoriomilano.it-▼Cairoli-Duomo

Isa & Vane
Via Perugino,1 – T. 02 3651 5288 – www.isa&vane.com-▼XXII Marzo District
A couple of blocks from Etro Outlet in Via Spartaco, this Risto-bistrot is a gem in the neighbourhood. Smart and crispy. Unbeatable menu and a great wine list. Gluten free options available. From breakfast till late. They have a great alternative al fresco for the mild season either on the side walk or in the back yard.

Bistrot
Latteria La Cicala
Via Bellotti, 13 T.02 29524346 -▼Indipendenza-Viale Piave

Mr Zuppa
Via G.B.Pirelli, 9 – T.02 4507 7209 -▼Porta Nuova-Central Station District
www.facebook.com/misterzuppa

Light Kitchen
Via Pola,15 – T. 02 6682 3818 -▼Porta Nuova-Central Station District
www.lightkitchen.it

Alterigo
Via Cenisio, 37 -▼Sempione-Monumentale District
www.facebook.com/AlterigoCafe

Soup & Go
Via Pompeo Litta, 6 – T. 0245471767 ▼Porta Vittoria-Verziere District
www.facebook.com/soupandgomi

Pavè
Via Felice Casati, 27 – T. 02.9439 2259 -▼Porta Venezia-Buenos Aires
www.pavemilano.com
Listed in the Michelin Foodies Guide, from breakfast to aperitivo this is one of trendiest place you can find in Milano. This is a patisserie, and menu for lunch is short but to die for. Always a veggie selection. They can adapt some sandwiches to vegetarian needs. Also pet friendly.

PaninoLab
Via Montevideo, 8 – T. 02 2222 0034- ▼ Tortona District
www.paninolab.it
Many panini sadly mostly with hams & co. But the daily fresch offer is very politically correct. Very friendly, any vegetarian will find a special treatment on demand. In the mild season they have a couple of tables on the sidewalk. Live music every Tuesday evening.

Nun – Middle Eastern Street food -▼Porta Venezia-Buenos Aires
Via Spallanzani, 3 – T. 02 91637315
www.nunmilano.com
New place in town. A great selection from the menu. The smart idea of “make your own dish” by picking amongst the many ingredients available.

Pan de Nus
Via Tadino,15 T. 02 29528016 -▼Porta Venezia-Buenos Aires
Corso Concordia,11 – T. 02 9176 0875 ▼5 Giornate District
Largo La Foppa,2 – T. 02 65560824 -▼Brera District
Via Melzi d’Eril,3 – T. 02 33611071 - ▼Arena-Parco Sempione District
www.pandenus.it
A nice backery chain scattered around the trendiest neighbourhoods. Mecca of finger food, and a good daily offer. Aperitivo is one of the best in town, for all

TRADITIONAL BUT VERY VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN FRIENDLY
Restaurant
Valà
Via D.Crespi,14 C.da Sesto – T.02 9163 6095 – www.facebook.com/valabancoecucina - ▼Papiniano-S.Ambrogio District
Valà is one of the most friendly place Milano can offer. A wonderful selection for any taste, mood and preference. The menu varies almost daily. It is off the main tracks but just around the corner from crucial roads between Corso Genova e Viale Papiniano. from breakfast till late.

Mamma Oliva – pizzeria and restaurant
Via V.Monti, 33 – T. 02 45 07 06 45 – ▼Parco Sempione-Cadorna District
Via Battistotti Sassi, 11 – T. 02 738 9510 – ▼ XXII Marzo District
www.mammaoliva.it
Mamma Oliva’s pizza is one of the best in Milano. Veggie and vegan choices are in the menu but their à la carte menu has a good selection of Pastas that can be adjusted to match vegetarian needs. Do ask the waiter. In via Vincenzo Monti they are not only veggie walcoming but also very kind and pet friendly.

Simon’s
Via San Vittore, 6 – T. 02 72016028 – www.ristorantesimons.com – ▼Papiniano-S.Ambrogio District

Mido
Via Custodi, 4 – T.02 837 5249 – www.ristorantemido.com -▼Ticinese-Navigli District

Bistrot
Green Inc
Via Meravigli, 16 – T. 02.49466022 – www.greeninc.it -▼Magenta-5 Vie District

Nabi
Via Cadore,41 – T. 02 3674 0247 – www.nabi.com -▼ XXII Marzo District
Near the Fondazione Prada, this tiny bistrot can offer fresh alternatives to anyboby. The staff is warm and welcoming and very carefull to special and ordinary needs.

Soul & Kitchen
Via Pestolazzi,4 -T 02.39665251 – www.kitchenandsoul.it -▼ Navigli District

Moyè
Corso Garibaldi, 34 – T. 02.72.00.42.50 -▼ Brera District
Via Albricci, corner piazza Velasca – T. 02.890.92.624 -▼ Duomo-Velasca District
Via G.Parini, 1 – T. 02 4539 5060 – ▼ Brera District
www.moye.it

San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore: sister of the Sistine Chapel in Milan

Federica Raggio — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 17:03:02 +0000

Are you feeling cold and gloomy on a winter day?
This is what happens to me every now and then between November and February, in Milano.
The only way to escape this awful feeling is by getting an overdose of colours, beauty and disorientation.
The last time this emotion overwhelmed me, it was around the end of December.
In a matter of a second I realized that only some exceptional piece of art could help me out of it and I rememberd it was a very long time since i last saw San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, one of the most ancient churches in town, (XVI cen.). So I wore my warmest coat and stepped out of the door heading towards Corso Magenta.
A few blocks away from Leonardo’s Last Supper, this church is another jem of Milanese art hidden behind a simple facade. Walk through the door and let your senses be overwhelmed and ravished by the frescoes that decorate walls and vaults.

the Church and the Chapels

Former nun’s Monastery, it is considered our local Sistine Chapel for the beauty of its frescoes, that come from the schools of Boltraffio, Foppa, the Luinis. Those artists were real masters of the art in Lombary, and today they are unluckly shadowed by the nearby Leonardo’s to the most.

The place is divided in two : the church itself and the monastery, that used to be stricktly reserved to nuns only and it is called the Hall of the Nuns.
The entrance is from the Church. Eight chapels, distributed on both sides, are mostly painted by the Luinis, both father Bernardino and his three sons as well as the other masters.
Hall of the Nuns is the real jewel where the works of those great XVI cen. Masters astonish in succession.
The best way to get acquainted to this magnificent images, would be with a guided tour.

the Hall of the Nuns

Would we still be able to perform with such a perfection without any of the technological tools we have available today?

For those who are around Milano in spring, try not to miss the Magnolias in flower in the nearby cloister garden, entrance of the Archeological Museum.

Check the agenda, this venue is stage for evening ancient music concerts

Free entrance
Tue-Sat
9.30am-5.30pm

to get there
M1 Cadorna/Cairoli
M2 Cadorna/Sant’Ambrogio

Some nearby tips
Walkable distance, you have 360° options :
- you can reach not only Santa Maria delle Grazie and Leonardo’s Last Supper.
- Stepping out and moving clockwise your needle will be able to point Sant’Ambrogio Basil and further up this direction Tue am and Sat am/pm street market in Viale Papiniano (MM Sant’Agostino);
- proceding on corso Magenta, leaving Santa Maria delle Grazie behind, you can quickly reach Vercelli/Belfiore shopping district.
- From nearby Piazza Cadrona one can choose to walk either to Triennale Design Museum, Parco Sempione and Castello Sforzesco.
- If you are hungry or in a low sugar moment, you can choose your next destination picking counterclockwise direction, the oldest confectionery shop in Milano, Pasticceria Marchesi is one hundred yards away from here with a few shopping spots in between (Bardelli classic wear, Pantone)
- This is also the way to 5 Vie district, Palazzo della Borsa, Piazza del Duomo.

A day off : Villa Panza di Biumo, Varese

Federica Raggio — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 10:37:44 +0000

If you fancy a day off, Villa Panza is one the best places one can visit from Milano with a short train journey.
No matter the weather, the season, the mood.
Its permanent collection or any temporary show scheduled will make the trip worth.

The Villa is half of XVIII cen. U shape typical Baroc style, but twisted the other way round it is facing the park rather than the entrance to enhance intimacy and delight. A real boost to the feeling of the landscape in such a heavenly place.

Since early XIX cen, an English park with a romantic lake, a grotto for ice storing and a folly outline the frame of the grounds. An Italian formal Garden will follow.
Still one can walk across a splendid Hornbeam hedge (Carpinus betulus), some aged stone ornaments alternate with box balls on the main lawn next to the greenhouse. The place vibrates with beauty and charme.

Inside and outside the Hornbeam Hedge

Passionate owner Ernesto Panza di Biumo bought the run down property in 1935. Piero Portaluppi was the architect in charge of the conservation-restauration project to bring the villa back to its original splendor. He was an Archistar and he mastered the mission very dearly.

Panza’s four sons and daughter inherited the Villa but the heir who turned this place into a mecca of art was Giuseppe. Contemporary art as well as land art were his passions. He has been one of the most keen collector of artists playing with light of all time. Rooms are still filled with works by masters such as Dan Flavin (Santa Maria Annunciata in Chiesa Rossa by the same artist in Milano) Robert Irwin, James Turrell and land artist Andy Goldsworthy was one of his protégés.

In 1996 Giuseppe Panza donated his Property to FAI with what was letf of the collection, that sadly had to be partly distributed to main Musuems world wide for lack of founds and for maintenance found raising.

Under FAI loving cares, the Villa is now far away from troubles.
The permanent Collection is safe and next to it exceptional performances and temporary shows are in schedule throughout the year.

Special admission tickets to all members of the UK National Trust.

Temporary landart installation in 2014

Cafeteria, Restaurant and bistrot are available with special treats.
Choose the mood you feel: in the garden, in the villa, in the conservaotry.

How to get there
Villa Panza di Biumo can be reached by car, but also by train. It is an easy and pleasant go from Cadorna Train Station (the very same that connects to Malpensa Airport). Journey takes about an hour to Varese Train Station + a pleasant 15 minutes walk.

www.trenord.it/

Velasca Shoes

Federica Raggio — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 13:16:40 +0000

The other way round
From the net down to earth.

Put three young Milanese entrepreneurs together, choose one iconic landmark of their hometown such as the Torre Velasca for their Brand, get the skilled hands of italian craftsmen to give shape to leather and the result is simply first-class.

Jacopo – Enrico – Ludovico : The Velasca Trio

This challenging trio decided to start from the ephimeral world of the net. No permanent shop in expensive streets of Milano helped them to keep an outstanding quality at affordable costs.
Entirely handycrafted in Italy in Marche Region, the mecca of artigianal shoes, they founded their startup very recently.
Velasca Shoes have classic design but with a twist of creativity. You will soon find out if you pop your nose into the shop and even more if you slip your feet into any pair. You can choose among a very wide selection, which is mostly for man (unfortunately for ladies with a hate for heels).

The quality is superlative and whoever has visited their website, must run down the streets and chase the chance to choose from the wide selection they offer
Every now and then they put their feet on earth and appear from the net in some trendy corner of town.
They will be in Milano – Zona Tortona until Christmas.

Velasca – Temporary Shop
Via Tortona, 19
Milano
www.velasca.com

How to get there
M2 Porta Genova/Sant’Agostino