The itinerary to discover the hidden Milan

Are you ready to embark on a journey that will lead you straight to the center of a Milan that has disappeared – a Milan that is underground and unknown that can surprise you with every step you take?

The best way to discover the face of this unknown Milan is certainly to set out on the streets of Milan and begin the tour of Milan on foot. This means visiting ancient and contemporary places through the six historic Sestrieri: Porta Orientale, Romana, Ticinese, Vercellina, Nuova and Comasina.
The opportunity to take a glance at the unusual Milan, to start, is provided by famous and important people who -  over the years - have literally molded these places, buildings and neighborhoods while leaving indelible traces even on the face of the modern Milan that we can find today.

The secret Milan which consists of the canals and is recounted by the poet Alda Merin
Among the special places in Milan, we can certainly find the locations marked by the tormented and visionary pen of Alda Merini which are enveloped by a charm that goes way beyond what is tangible: we can meet the "Poetess of the Navigli" as we walk slowly along the banks of the Naviglio Grande, which inspired the work of the Canto Milano.

The house where Alda Merini lived is marked by a plaque and  is still a messy treasure chest of phrases and thoughts that will tell you all about the enchantment and horrors contained within this secret Milan. If you want to invade the universe of this poet, you must visit the Alda Merini Space which is located on the second floor of Via Magolfa 32.  Here one can find fragments of the original walls that are exhibited, where Merini wrote verses that she traced with lipstick.

This Milan consisting of canals, still preserves the atmosphere of a Milan that has vanished, which is almost just like a "little Venice".

The Underground and unknown Milan

The second proposal from ViaggiArt regarding the discovery of the secret places of Milan passes through the underground areas of the city.

The tourist route that runs through the underground Milan is accessible just a few meters below the Duomo churchyard where the oldest archaeological complex of the city extends, and is the nucleus of the first Christians: it is possible to walk among the remains of ancient Roman roads while being accompanied by expert guides, and to discover the wonderful octagonal building of the Baptistery of San Giovanni alle Fonti (378 AD), where Sant'Ambrogio baptized Agostino D'Ippona, or Sant'Agostino.
 
After taking breath of fresh air, we plunge back into the underground and unknown Milan to Piazza Missori and there we can admire the Crypt of San Giovanni in Conca which is the only Romanesque crypt in Milan.

The itinerary of the "former Milan": journey among the old abandoned factories
Visiting the hidden Milan also means venturing out on the discovery of abandoned places, old factories and industrial plants which are considered the finishing touch of the historic city manufacturers. They have now become both cultural and multipurpose places of what is considered alternative Milan.

The itinerary that opens the doors to some of the redeveloped buildings takes us through the spaces of the former Soap Factory of Angela Gavazzi and her children, the Officine del Volo, the Megawatt Court and the former Lagomarsino plant -  which is now "Spazio 36" and "Studio Fiorese".

Curious things to see in Milan

If you are passionate about differet types of curiosities and small metropolitan mysteries, ViaggiArt suggests a series of hidden corners in Milan that will attract you with their intriguing aura.

Beyond the frenzy and chaos, in fact, exist dark and hidden places where the "Ambrosian City" still speaks an esoteric language, as is done in front of the Church of Sant'Ambrogio where the "Colonna del Diavolo" stands.

According to tradition, in fact, the name of the column derives from the two large holes that are present on its surface which are none other than the trace of the devil's horn who was thrown against the column by the saint who sent him back to hell this way ”.
  
If it is the "macabre" art that fascinates you, then you cannot miss a visit to the so-called "Church of the skulls" or the Church of San Bernardino delle Ossa located in hidden Milan. Its interior is entirely decorated with skulls: these true human remains, perhaps, derive from the ancient cemetery on which it is built.
 

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