Parco Sempione Review

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Parco Sempione

  • Address: Piazza Castello, Brera, Milan, 20121

Fodor's Review:

Originally the gardens and parade ground of the Castello Sforzesco, this park was reorganized during the Napoleonic era, when the arena on its northeast side was constructed, and then it was turned into a park during Milan's building boom at the end of the 19th century. The park is still the lungs of the city's fashionable western neighborhoods, and the Aquarium (Viale Gadio 2. 02/878459. Free. Tues.-Sun. 9:30-5:30) still attracts Milan's school children. The park became a bit of a design showcase in 1933 with the construction of the Triennale. The Fiat café offers outdoor dining in summer along with a view of De Chirico's sculpture-filled fountain Bagni Misteriosi (Mysterious Baths), which is currently dry.

Even if a walk in the park is not appealing, it is worth visiting to see the Torre Branca (Parco Sempione. 02/3324120. EUR 3. Nov.-Mar.: Wed. 10:30-12:30 and 4-6:30; Sat. 10:30-1, 3-6:30, and 8:30-midnight; Sun. 10:30-2 and 2:30-7. Apr.-Oct.: Tues. and Thurs. 9:30PM-midnight; Wed. 10:30-12:30, 4-6:30, and 9:30-midnight; Fri. 2:30-6 and 9:30PM-midnight; weekends 10:30-2, 2:30-7:30, and 9:30PM-midnight). Designed by architect Gio Ponti, who was behind so many of the projects that made Milan the design capital that it is, this steel tower rises 330 feet over the Triennale. Take the elevator up to get a view of the city from a height that offers a sometimes intimate view into the city's topography and hidden spaces and monuments. Then have a drink at the glitzy Just Cavalli Café (Monday-Saturday 8 PM2 AM at its base.

  • Open: Nov.-Feb., daily 6:30-8; Mar., Apr., and June-Oct., daily 6:30-9; May, daily 6:30-10
  • Metro: Cadorna; Bus 61
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