Milan harbours a hidden treasure made up of little-known monuments, buildings, gardens, churches and other places. Wandering the streets of the city, discovering unknown places off the beaten track offers you the chance to get to know a new face of Milan and some fascinating pages of history.
There are so many special places in Milan: our advice is not to stop at what everyone already knows, but to let yourself be inspired by the enormous heritage of art, history and culture that makes the city famous all over the world. Then go deeper and treat yourself to a tour of the most secret Milan, driven by curiosity and a love of beauty.
Not just the Cathedral: Milan's holy places
Milan is a city full of holy places that have become veritable attractions, thanks to their history and inestimable beauty. However, there are just as many monuments that are rarely visited by traditional sightseeing tours, but which are definitely worth a visit.
Let's explore those that are most evocative:
- We're going to start with a place that is really impressive, encapsulating evidence of Roman and medieval times, and also the subject of some of Leonardo da Vinci's drawings: the Crypt of San Sepolcro, situated underneath the church of the same name, next to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, where the Forum of Milan once stood. The ancient frescoes and decorated vaults leave visitors breathless.
- Skulls and bones cover the walls of the 17th-century ossuary of the Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa, an unusual, sometimes macabre, sight but with an incredible allure.
- Next, let's move on to the Isola district to discover a 16th-century treasure built over an ancient fountain believed to have miraculous properties: the Sanctuary of Santa Maria alla Fontana, dating back to 1506. After descending the 16th-century staircase, you will be totally captivated by the vividness of the frescoes on the segmented vault. The Sanctuary is part of a complex that has become one of the city's most important healthcare facilities.
- Back in the centre, the most inquisitive visitors can appreciate an unusual 'open-air altar': the ruins of the Chapel of the Madonna del Grembiule, bombed in 1943 and never rebuilt. This is one of the city's most striking sights and you can admire the altar, the marble floor and the extraordinary fresco of the Madonna del Grembiule.
Milan's “secret” buildings, not to be missed
A little-known princely residence is the Residenza Vignale, near the Triennale, built in 1905-1907 at the behest of an Austrian prince. The building retains the original marble and parquet ceilings and floors, the opulent rooms and the grand staircase which, together with the stuccoes, furnishings and stables, are exceptionally beautiful.
Villa Necchi Campiglio and its silent garden is a jewel of the 1930s, now owned by the FAI. Extraordinarily modern for its time, the villa was designed by architect Piero Portaluppi. Today it houses prestigious collections of furniture and works of art, including canvases by Canaletto and Tiepolo, works by De Chirico, Boccioni, Picasso and Fontana, along with many other masterpieces.
Also worth a visit is the Casa Museo Bagatti-Valsecchi, located between Via Gesù and Via Santo Spirito. Two brothers, Barons Fausto and Giuseppe Bagatti Valsecchi, began renovating the family home in 1880 , collecting 15th- and 16th-century paintings and artefacts to create a residence inspired by the elegant homes of the 16th-century Lombard nobility.
Unusual places to visit in Milan
Right in the centre, at number 11 Corso Venezia, hidden behind a Baroque entranceway, is the courtyard of the former Archbishop's Seminary. This is one of Milan's most atmospheric secret places and has only recently been returned to the community: we are in Piazza del Quadrilatero, ideal for a charming break while shopping.
Among the tourist attractions of a Milan that is possibly not so well known is the colourful Via Lincoln: among the terraced houses with their multicoloured façades and delightful private gardens, you can enjoy a quiet interlude away from the hustle and bustle of the city. What was originally a working-class neighbourhood is now known as the “Burano of Milan”, a rainbow island on the edge of the city centre.
Moving towards the north of Milan, in the Maggiolina district, to Via Lepanto to be precise, we discover one of the most unusual housing construction experiments, the Igloo Houses designed by Mario Cavallè. The unusual circular dwellings were built in the post-World War II period to temporarily house some families who had been evacuated.
These are just some of the recommended destinations for those wondering what to see in Milan that is unusual and original; a great way to discover different parts of a city that is a kaleidoscope of history, art and culture.
