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Around Milan: discovering the Garibaldi – Porta Volta distrct
To the north of Milan, the Garibaldi - Porta Volta area traces the path of the ancient Spanish walls and hosts streets that narrate important moments in the city's history, seamlessly intertwining preservation with transformation.
The area comprised between Garibaldi and Porta Volta in Milan is a charming residential and commercial district, characterized by a lively nightlife and served by an important railway hub.
Typical of Milan's charm, this district seamlessly integrates history and modernity, creating a unique atmosphere where historic shops proudly carry on their legacies alongside trendy nightlife spots, while ancient palaces and religious buildings mingle with cultural spaces and futuristic architectures, epitomizing the city's evolution into a modern metropolis..
History and fun facts
In the past, the Garibaldi - Porta Volta area served as a link between the city and the countryside, nestled along the ancient Spanish walls. It was characterized by a dense presence of public housing, shops, and religious establishments.
Porta Garibaldi, erected in 1826 as a gateway to Como and the lakes, originally bore the name Porta Comasina and was dedicated to Emperor Francis I. However, in 1860, it was renamed Porta Garibaldi to commemorate Garibaldi's triumphant entry into the city through this portal.
Radiating from this historic gate is Corso Garibaldi, a long commercial street stretching 1100 meters from Moscova to Brera. This street bears witness to a somber chapter in Milan's history. In 1898, General Bava Beccaris enforced harsh military measures to suppress popular protests against the increase in the price of bread along this street, leaving an indelible stain on the history of the city.
About 1 km from Porta Garibaldi stands Porta Volta, erected in 1880 as a passage along the Spanish walls, offering access to the Monumental Cemetery. Designed by Cesare Beruto, renowned for his contributions to the city's first urban planning project, the gate honors Alessandro Volta, the chemist from Como credited with inventing the battery. Over time, the Porta Volta square, now Piazzale Baiamonti, evolved into a bustling traffic junction along Milan's inner ring road, reflecting the city's expansion.
Today, these streets, immortalized by Dino Buzzati in his 1963 novel "Un amore," stand as a vibrant hub of Milanese social and nightlife activity, preserving the legacy of their rich history amidst the pulse of modern life.
What to see
In the area between Garibaldi and Porta Volta in Milan, an array of architectural marvels unfolds, each telling a story of the city's evolution. At its heart lies Gae Aulenti, the iconic circular square serving as a crossroads between commerce and leisure. Here you can admire the Unicredit skyscraper, one of the tallest in Italy, and the breathtaking Bosco Verticale by Stefano Boeri. You can also visit the
A short stroll leads to Corso Como, renowned as one of Milan's premier destinations for socializing and nightlife. Lined with shops, cocktail bars, and nightclubs, it also serves as a hub for various events during major international events like the Salone del Mobile
Continuing along Corso Garibaldi, you’ll encounter the Church of Santa Maria Incoronata, a unique double church dedicated to Duke Francesco Sforza and his wife Bianca Maria Visconti. Heading towards Moscova, the Basilica of San Simpliciano, founded by Saint Ambrose, also awaits exploration.
Venturing onto Viale Pasubio, you’re greeted by the futuristic pyramid of glass and steel housing the Feltrinelli Foundation, a creation of the international architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron. Across the way, the architects are constructing a twin structure that will house the
Adjacent to this lies the Lea Garofalo Community Garden on Viale Montello, a serene oasis managed by FAI in memory of a victim of the 'ndrangheta, offering space for relaxation, cultural activities, and community engagement.
Further along, on Via Ceresio, stands the ADI Design Museum, an expansive complex showcasing the winners of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro design award, conceived by Gio Ponti in 1954 to celebrate Italian design excellence.
As you approach Porta Volta, the journey culminates at the Monumental Cemetery, which has been defined as an open-air museum for its wealth of funerary monuments paying homage to great Milanese figures such as Alessandro Manzoni, Francesco Hayez, Dario Fo, and Alda Merini
Take note of these addresses
The icon of this area is undoubtedly 10 Corso Como, the concept store created by Carla Sozzani (sister of the Vogue director) boasting a curated selection of fashion and design, a bookstore, an art gallery, a splendid roof garden, and even a hotel with three exclusive rooms.
For those seeking special purchases, Velasca's handmade shoes and Dammann Frères tea boutique are must-visits, while for artisanal perfume aficionados there’s
When hunger strikes, be sure to try the Lombard delicacies served at Antica Trattoria della Pesa, the grilled meat at El Carnicero, and the pizza and cocktail combinations at Dry on Via Solferino. For a glamorous poolside aperitif, there is
And for nocturnal adventures, places like Hollywood, Tocqueville 13, and Loolapaloosa reign as favorites among Milan's nightlife enthusiasts.
Finally, for a truly unique experience, venture to Circolo Combattenti e Reduci, housed within the ancient Dazio di Porta Volta since 1919. Here, amidst a rustic country bar ambiance, you can savor the timeless classics of Milanese tradition in a courtyard adorned with wisteria, surrounded by a treasure trove of memorabilia and a billiards table.
Transportation
The area stretching from Garibaldi to Porta Volta is one of Milan's most well-connected districts. Firstly, there’s the Garibaldi FS train station, which offers both short and long-distance train services. Complementing this, the "Garibaldi" metro station on the M2 and M5 lines, provides efficient travel options within the city.
Moreover, various surface transportation options are available, including tram 2 linking to the Duomo, tram 14 offering access to Piazza Cordusio, and tram 10 extending connectivity to Piazza Sei Febbraio in the
At Porta Volta, you'll also find the "Monumentale" metro stop on the M5 line.
The real estate market in the Garibaldi - Porta Volta district
The Garibaldi - Porta Volta district is a prime destination for property investment in Milan. It’s an interesting area to consider buying a home, whether you plan to live there or rent it out, especially if you're eyeing the tourism market. The district is indeed very well served by public transport, local amenities, and commercial activities, and it's close to other popular parts of the city like Brera, Isola, and Parco Sempione.
Inoltre, il quartiere è un indirizzo molto ricercato per l’acquisto o l’affitto di uffici a Milano, come evidenziato dalla presenza di importanti aziende che hanno scelto di stabilirvi la propria sede, tra cui Unicredit, Feltrinelli, Microsoft, Oracle e Accenture.