We continue our 'research' for the birthplaces of Italian immigrants who in the late 19th century and early 20th century arrived in Brazil in search of work and a better life, now we will talk about the cities that are located in Lombardy, northern Italy. One of the cities to 'export' Italians that reached the long-awaited success in Brazil, was the Lombard city of Busto Arsizio, considered the Italian Manchester, thanks to its great potential industrial in the textile world. From Busto Arsizio came out Rodolfo Crespi and his Enrico dell'Acqua, masters of one of the most important cotton mills in São Paulo (Brazil) of the beginning of the 20th century. There, many important events for Brazilian history occurred, such as the case of the first major strike of workers, by the majority of Italian, in the year of 1917. In Busto, you can visit museums and libraries that tell in detail the history of the industrial development of this city and its importance; among them I recommend: Library of the Center of Lombard cultures, Scientific Library Count Dino Crespi, Museum of Textile and Industrial Tradition of Busto, Civic Collections of Sacred Art of San Michele Arcangelo, Museum of Arts of the Palace flag.
Fisogni Museum of the Petrol Station of Milan is the most complete collection according to Guinness World Record about the service station and the fuel retailing. 150 oil pumps since the first by 1892 until the first electronic ones by 1981, the collection shows the evolution of design and the development of technology in the gas pumps. Among the others there is also the one designed by architect Piacentini exclusively for Benito Mussolini. Thousands of related objects with a petrol company logo on them as greaser guns, signs, projects, toys, gadgets, globes.
The history of this private museum is somewhat original. Here, in the breeding Il Portichetto was born in July 1952 a very special colt, Tornese. A beautiful sauro with a blonde mane and tail, a trotter who won almost all the prizes possible in the 1950s and that was comparable only to the famous Varenne of our time. The stable buildings were sold to the owner of a baby product company that made it an industrial plant. After years of work, Catelli came with some sense of guilt and decided to dedicate the place to horses. So the project for the toy horse museum started. The result we can visit and touch today. A beautiful place where adults and children can admire more than five hundred rocking horses, toys, carousel horses. Everyone comes back a little children there but only real children can get on the old steeds and dream of races in the prairie and jump over ditches and bushes. A beautiful collection with unique pieces, collected from all over the world. Handmade pieces, crumpled by time and the use of the little knights. The materials used were mainly wood as for Edward, the symbol horse of the museum, made by skilled craftsmen from Val Gardena. Also metal and papier-mache were materials used to produce children's friends. Every horse has its own name, and there are all kinds of horses. From the horse of the Hermete carousel, who came to Grandate from Hungary to the delicate Jacqueline, to the Fortunato horse in iron and to Tatzuo who comes from China and has traveled half the world. Every horse has its own story and it's great to imagine the children of the past who ride their steeds. In front of the museum the huge Roberto rocking horse welcomes you. It is the horse that was built for Roberto Benigni's film Pinocchio and it is so big that it must always stay out in the open air.
Trendy Brera has the full spectrum of eateries including homely Italian trattorias, fancy sushi and spicy curries. Its late opening hours making it a beacon for night owls. Head here also for pre-dinner cocktails and Sunday brunch. After a refreshing aperitif, dine in the good-value, laid-back restaurants in the canal districts of Navigli and Ticinese, south of the centre. Choose a cavernous eatery for a romantic meal or tuck in at a busy waterside pizzeria. The area between Porta Romana and Bocconi University is packed with Italian, Milanese and ethnic cuisine from Argentinean steakhouses to Mexican grills. Noodle and rice cravings? A few metres away is Via Paolo Sarpi, the hub of Milan's Chinatown. For an all-in-one evening, busy Brera offers pre-dinner aperitifs, diverse restaurants, late-night bars and a few spots to take your dancing shoes. Many restaurants close on Sundays but there will always be somewhere open. It is normal to add 10% on top of any cover charge.
The 135-hectare Cave Park (Parco delle Cave) is Milan's most recently-developed urban park, with diverse flora and fauna, streams, farms and four caves - the latter owing their existence to the process of sand extraction that took place in the early 20th century. Today the caves look like lakes, adding a picturesque touch to the overall appearance of the park. A project is under way to build three man-made floating islands, introducing a new population of water birds into the existing fauna. In addition to its rich vegetation, Parco delle Cave is also home to various associations which organise educational activities for schoolchildren, sporting competitions and cultural events. Located near corso Sempione, from where it takes its name, Sempione Park is Milan's biggest green area. It's perfect for long walks and summer picnics, with a large central meadow, an artificial lake and a fountain designed by De Chirico. A 19th-century project by architect Emilio Alemagna, the park also houses the Castello Sforzesco, one of the most popular sites in the city, the Arena, a neoclassic building designed by Luigi Canonica in 1806, and the Arco della Pace, a lesser Arc de Triomphe built for the glorification of Napoleon. ?? Recent efforts have also allowed for the reopening of the 109-metre high steel-tube construction, Torre Littoria or Branca, a 1932 project by world-famous architects Cesare Chiodi, Giò Ponti and Ettore Ferrari, which for years had been closed to the public. Along with three small lakes, a playground for children and countless monuments and statues, Milan's Giardini Pubblici also feature the 18th-century Palazzo Dugnani. It houses the Greenhouse Laboratories, the Civic Museum of National History and Villa Reale.
Milan is a vibrant city, full of entertainment proposals and dynamic in its nightlife. Going out in Milan is always a pleasure, thanks to the incredible variety of entertainments the city offers for every kind of activity. The most famous nightlife areas in Milan are probably the quarter of Brera, the Navigli Area and the Arch of Peace, a true entertainment oasis with an incredible number of cafes, discos, bars, clubs and meeting places. It is particularly funny to spend some summer evenings on the canals of the Navigli Area, especially around the dock, where the two rivers meet near XXIV Maggio Square. If you want to drink something outside and enjoy an unusual trip in Milan this is an experience undoubtely not to miss! Another opportunity to enjoy Milan's nightlife is represented by the beautiful and picturesque district of Brera. The Old Milan with its bars and restaurants awaits you in the streets of this beautiful part of the city, so small and characteristic that sometimes you can feel as you are not in one of the most populated Italian metropolis. The last stop of an ideal trip in Milan's nightlife is a break at the Arch of Peace, a meeting place for many Milan’s nightlife lovers and another location not to be missed especially in the summer, because of its pleasant outdoor pedestrian area at the end of Corso Sempione. How wonderful it is enjoying the lights of Milan walking slowly from bar to bar!
La Triennale di Milano is a collection of design works and many temporary exhibitions of modern art and design. Located between the Castello Sforzesco, Arco della Pace and the Arena, the building hosting La Triennale has its main entrance on Via Alemagna, the road linking downtown with the bustling Corso Sempione. To the east, the building looks directly at Sempione Park. Piazza Cadorna is very easy to be reached from the palace, just a few minutes walking from the subway station. The last time I was in Milan I really enjoyed exploring the three floors of desing museum, with original art forms and spirit of innovation and design in the arts which features Milan. True home of Milanese design, the site of the Triennale is indeed a must for every traveler arriving in this city: the three floors of the exhibition includes a ground floor, first floor and a garden open to exhibitors and the public. The foundation manages the Triennale spaces of the building and the design museum, even if it has been recently opened a new office in the district of Bovisa, in the north of the city. Also worth of a visit it is the very interesting bookstore devoted to issues of art and design, in the building of via Alemagna: it is a modern library that offers a wide selection of books and that if you are as passionate me for architecture, design and modern art is certainly worth a bit of your time.
Enter designer heaven in the Quadrilatero around Montenapoleone, packed with flagship stores from Armani Manzoni 31 to Versace. Amble along Milan's longest shopping street, Corso Buenos Aires, buy shoes on Via Torino or visit department store, La Rinascente near the Duomo. Foodies will love Peck, leather lovers should head to Chinatown's Via Paolo Sarpi and for quirky one-offs, browse around the Brera district. Milan does markets and designer fashion. Bargain for crafts, second-hand clothes and DVDs at Saturday's Fiera di Senigallia by the Alzaia Naviglio Grande canal. Browse the popular Viale Papiniano Market on Saturdays, and its Tuesday flea market. Discover an antique gem at the Antiquariato sul Naviglio Grande on the last Sunday of each month. On the third Saturday, visit Brera for trinkets and toys. For the best designer deals, buy during the January and July sales, or visit the out-of-city outlet stores. Some shops close for lunch, following Italy's standard shopping hours of Monday-Saturday 9am-12.30pm and 3.30pm-7.30pm. International and department stores are usually open orario continuato (all day).
Bar-hop the narrow streets and winding alleys of Brera, packed with stylish bars, beautiful people, outdoor terraces and late-night stalls selling jewellery and crafts. It's not just the Saturday street market that packs out the Navigli-Ticinese districts: the Navigli canal running through the area is lined with an ever-growing number of jazz bars, clubs and restaurants for the ultimate waterside treat. For a glimpse of Milan's fashion set, catch the beautiful people straight off the catwalk and into the hip clubs and bars on stylish Corso Como. Mingle with the models and enjoy a (pricey) drink or two. Discover Milan's new scene in arty Isola, north of the centre behind Garibaldi train station. Sip coffees and cocktails in hip cafés and bars, and don't miss Milan's renowned Blue Note jazz club. In true European style, it's common to arrive at a club at midnight – and not a second sooner. Entrance fees sometimes include a drink, so keep that ticket. Opening hours for bars and clubs vary greatly and some haunts remain open till dawn at weekends.
In Italy soccer is a real religion and the stadium of Milan, Giuseppe Meazza Stadium also known as San Siro, is called by Milan citizens the "Scala of football", referrring to its importance in soccer game which is similar only to the one of Teatro Alla Scala in the world of opera. During my trip I attended an Inter FC vs. AC Milan match, in which both teams have met in an appointment always strongly felt in the whole Milan, in its surroundings and throughout the whole Italy. The effect of Italian supporters is amazing: they really seem to go mad at each attack towards goal of any of the two teams. The choreography was very impressive, and the fans were supporting their favourite team through banners and choirs. Each fan group has been divided by the opposite one and located in a different area of the stadium. For each goal (the match ended 2-2) Inter and Milan fans cheered every time full of joy for the goal scored or despaired for the goal taken. After the match I went with my Italian friend Luca (a Milan supporter) out for a drink before returning home. The fans of both teams left San Siro disappointed for the result, but I liked this experience so much that the days after I returned to the stadium just to visit Inter & Milan museum.
On March 7, falls the anniversary of the birth of Alessandro Manzoni. And speaking of falling: it was in 1873 when our Manzoni, already a successful writer known throughout Europe, falls like an ordinary mortal in front of the Church of San Fedele. From this church, before which now stands the bronze statue of the writer, we begin to travel the romantic places in Milan lived by Manzoni, in the years of the Italian Risorgimento and today. Via Morone is the place where one can still visit the house where Manzoni spent much of his life and where he received Verdi, Garibaldi, Balzac. The house-museum occasionally hosts readings of the pages of The Manzoni. The lounge is a true nineteenth century meeting place where the fate of nascent Italy was decided; walking here in Milan today we find ourselves in a place full of atmosphere, but also extremely elegant, at the margins of neighbourhoods of museums such as the Poldi Pezzoli and of the Fashion District. A mixture of art and new not to miss! Looking up to the sky we can see the white spire of the Gothic Cathedral with its golden Madonna, impossible not to visit. Don Lisander, as the Milanese call Manzoni, loved to walk the streets of Milan and perhaps his wandering gave birth to some creative ideas for “I promessi sposi”, his most famous novel. Manzoni describes a Milan in the grip of famine and plague: the first case of plague was recorded in San Babila and spread the plague spreaders on the benches of the Cathedral. The Lazzaretto is one of the most sad places remembered in the novel. The only remnants are visible today in Via San Gregorio between Buenos Aires and Via Tadino, today a shopping and cosmopolite area of Milan, where to shop and live a multicultural atmosphere, for an experience similar to European capitals. Finally, Don Lisander is remembered among the great of Italy at the Cemetery (Cimitero Monumentale), located in the northern part of the town. The atmosphere of Milan's literary elite can still be found walking in the avenues, contemplating the important and majestic buildings that portray a Milan bearer of great culture.
Milan is one of the more popular and best destinations where you can spend Christmas vacations. Thanks to the number of events hosted daily, like cultural initiatives, fairs, free concerts, typical markets and much more. All this has made Milan one of the best and most attractive towns in Europe for both the young and old people. Especially during Christmas festive, the city assumes a new face; all starts on the 7th of December with a marvelous feasting celebration for the city’s patron, Saint’Ambrose. The day also coincides with the famous and an ancient Christmas market day full of typical products and sweet: the "Oh Bej! Oh Bej!" fair featuring: wine, craft vendors from Piazza Sant'Ambrogio and food. Special churches services during this occasion are held in Duomo. During this festive season, you will have the chance to visit the famous Christmas Craft Fair of Milan L’Artigiano in Fiera, which is largest crafts exhibition in Italy, attracting thousands of foreign exhibitors and visitors to Fiera Milano. With food, clothes, jewelers, antiques, furniture etc. on offer, this places the best alternative for shoppers during Christmas festive. For the running second year, Milan own Christmas Theme Park, the Villaggio delle Meraviglie will be operationalized in the lovely serene Giardini Pubblici Montanelli’s surrounding, one of the best and nicest parks in Milan’s centre. You will also have the opportunity to be entertained by the fairytale village, which is inspired by Christmas. If you have children, the house of Santa will be there, where they can hand Santa Claus their Christmas letters. Adjacent to Santa’s apartment, a toy factory where kids can draw their preferred character will there enabling them to see the animations of their drawings. There will also be rollercoaster in Santa sleigh’s shape; ridding along the mountains snow for the children to see. There will be a rink of ice-skating also where alongside free skating, lessons, and sessions many shows and exhibitions will take place. During Christmas season, Milan’s shopping is unlike other shopping experiences you may have experienced in the past. Most expensive prestigious boutiques and showrooms globally can be seen lining the pedestrian walkways and boulevards in Milan. For instance, Via Montenapoleone the famous crosses Via Della Spiga which in turn is crossed by Via Sant'Andrea forms a part of real estate’s commercials including outlets for Gucci, Cavalli, Versace, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, and Prada among others. This shopping section is just for the high-end goods. When you go shopping for the middle range accessories and fashion the alternatives are even more thrilling. Milan, like any other Italian cities in general, observe Christmas quietly. Here you will see families re-uniting, friends reconciling and the poor fed. During this festive season shop for gifts but also of most important, think of what to cook for Christmas dinner. Here you will see families cooking their traditional favourite foods like: Risotto alla Milanese- which is prepared with onion, saffron, butter, beef bouillon and wine. Cotoletta alla Milanese-a meat typical dish prepared from breaded and Veal cutlets and then fried in butter. Polenta-made with cornmeal, which is ground and then it is served with tomato sauce and some type of meat. Panettone-a popular Christmas cake made with flour, water, dried candied fruits, eggs, and butter. There are a couple of markets during the Christmas festive season throughout Milan. One is the Smart Market which is based on the theme recycling and reusing at the Piazza Sant' Ambrogio; a Christmas edition based on the regular market. This market ends on the 23rd of December of that year. In this market, you can find the famous holiday Panettone, the symbol of Milan. Another shopping trip worth visiting is the market of Lazzate Christmas a small village in the outskirts of Milan. This market has a firm favourite atmosphere for shopping as well as events to keep children happy and an array of mouth-watering goods, many hand-made. You should also note that between Mid-December and 6 January is when Christmas Markets in Milan open and you can buy Italian-made children's toys, local crafts, and seasonal treats. Tips: On 25th of December, Christmas day, you can anticipate all shops, stalls, and markets to be closed. While in Milan, you can also celebrate Christmas by attending midnight masses at Duomo or visiting Christmas crèches within the city. On 26th of December, it is Saint Stephen's Day, is an extension day of Christmas, when families go camping out visiting Christmas markets and viewing nativity sites in churches. On 31st of December it is New Year's Eve or San Silvestro di Festa. This day is marked with much more fanfare in Milan.
That of St. Anthony is primarily, a religious feast that unfolds over two days of celebration. The celebrations will be held as usual in the Church which stands in Piazza della Motta, dedicated to St. Anthony as "the Sant'Antoni purscell" hermit and abbot, patron of animals and "marriageable girls. The program, liturgy and celebration, expected on Saturday 16 January with a blessing of votive candles and the burning of S. Antonio in the presence of city authorities. And for Sunday, January 17th, which is the day of the Feast of St. Anthony, a Solemn Mass presided by the Cardinal. At its conclusion, traditional blessing of animals, with a launch of balloons with notes written by children. The feast of St. Anthony is also made, for example, from sandwiches with salami of the urchins of Motta, the organizers of the festival, which this year will be next to the church of St. Anthony Motta (among other things recently restored) for all two days of the festival, "with the most delicious sandwich that there is" a political price. But it is also one of the most requested and popular markets of the winter, open throughout the weekend: where we always make four steps, we discover new and curiosity eat pancakes. And this year, among other things, Via Carrobbio, one that directly accesses the bonfire from Piazza Monte Grappa, will be "invaded" by high-quality products, manufactured and sold directly by producers in Varese or selected by the producer and producers of cheese and cold cuts of goat and cow and honey, as well as preserves and sweets in addition to rice and Novara snails, fruit and vegetables from Alessandria, salami and cheese from Brescia, mushrooms and truffles from Cassano d'Adda, Tuscan wines and olive Molise, all in direct production. To prepare special meals for the road versions will think "outside" of King Charles, the bar Rossofuoco, the pizzeria and cuisine.
A little while ago, tornado from Switzerland, enchanted by the view I noticed from the windows of the train, I decided to make a short stop in Como. I must say that I only regret having had little time and my visit lasted so short, because the city is extraordinary. Located a few steps from Switzerland and near Milan, Como overlooks the left branch of Lake Como. It only takes a few minutes and from the lake you pass to the mountain: on one side lies Mount Brunate that you can easily reach by funicular, on the other the Baradello Castel, built in 1100 by Barbarossa. The castle is only reachable on foot, through a beautiful path in the middle of the woods, but I assure you that it deserves every effort, because from there you can admire a wonderful panorama of Brianza and the first basin of the lake. The historic center surrounded by the ancient walls is closed to traffic and is full of clubs and shops. Around you will see beautiful streets and houses, almost all historic. Two other stops not to be missed are the church of San Fedele and the Duomo, which has nothing to envy at the Cathedral of Milan. Thanks to its fabulous climate, Como is full of greenery and flowers that often hide historic villas. Such as Villa Olmo, venue for conferences and exhibitions, and no less interesting is the Villa Saporiti, both overlooking the lake. If you have enough time, take a boat ride around the lake. It is spectacular especially in spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom. Zigzagging between banks you will notice the beautiful villas and gardens, villages climbing the steep banks, the mountains that are reflected in the blue waters of the lake. No wonder the beautiful George Clooney and equally beautiful Brad Pitt bought the villas located right on the shores of the lake. When I finally win the Lotto, I'll do it too!
Como is a small town in the north of Lombardy, it is located on the homonymous lake hidden in the mountains of the Alps and is a very fascinating city. If you arrive in Como by car, you can park in one of the garages in the center, and explore the historic part on foot, because it is a pedestrian zone. The old town is not too big, but there are many monuments. The main attraction is of course the Cathedral. According to legend, inside the cathedral is depicted a hen, hidden in any form. As a fresco, statue or low relief, you don't know where, but if you find it, you'll be lucky for life. Every time I go there, I hope to find her but unfortunately I haven't succeeded yet! Try it, maybe you'll be more fortunate! Don't forget: you'll be lucky all your life! After visiting the historic center, where the old walls are also located, you can go to the promenade along the port. You will find the park, where the Volta Temple stands, a museum dedicated to Alessandro Volta, the famous physicist of Comasca origin. The lake port moors boats that give tourists the opportunity to reach the other characteristic cities of Lario. For those who don't feel like spending too much time on the boat, they can always go for a pedal boat ride. Currently, part of the lakeside dock is being rebuilt, as floods occur when the glaciers melt in spring.
Queen Theodolinda, of German origin, was very important for the city of Monza. Theodolinda was given his wife to the Lombard king Autari for political reasons as usual then. The Queen was very beautiful as evidenced by the paintings in the Chapel and won the trust of the people. It was very much loved by the people of Monza that gifts chose as a summer residence. The pagan king converted to Christianity thanks to the influence of his believing wife and his son was baptized in Monza. Also in Monza he had a church built, the current Cathedral. The place was chosen in a particular way: the Queen had promised to dedicate a church for St. John the Baptist but she did not know where. One day, riding with his escort along the Lambro River, he stopped to rest. She fell asleep and in the dream she saw a pigeon standing near her talking to her, saying, 'Way', here. She answered 'Etiam', yes, and so was defined the place to build the church. The two words together formed the first name of the city, namely Modoetia. The Duomo is beautiful, but there is nothing left of the original construction. During the 13th and 14th centuries it was completely redone. The marble façade with white and green bands is very beautiful and richly decorated. The bell tower was built in the 16th century. Inside is the Chapel of Theodolinda full of colorful frescoes that in 45 scenes tell the story and life of the famous queen. In the altar of the chapel there is a display case containing the Iron Crown, a crown with a very special story that was brought by the queen but also by Napoleon. Protected in its case, the ancient, precious crown sparkles in the light of lighting. It's really pretty and studded with precious stones. It was used for the coronation of the kings of Italy until the 19th century. It is said that the crown contains one of the nails of the crucifix of Christ. Therefore, the crown is also revered as a relic.
