Today is the only day we start on foot from the Central train station. This is because we want to explore the more modern area around it which has some attractions that few tourists are visiting. The first one is right in front of the train station, the Pirelli building. Formerly the headquarters of Pirelli it has been since sold to the local government. Unfortunately while it has a relatively famous overlook terrace it is not accesible on most days for tourists. Also interestingly it was hit in 2002 by an airplane resulting in extensive restoration work afterwards.
Our goal in the area is the Pizza Gae Aulenti, the center of the more modern area. We can see the skyscrapers surrounding it from a distance however it takes a while to find the right paths through the nearby parks as we make our way towards it.
The area is quite green, in fact the area was built with nature in mind. We really enjoy the flowers in bloom all around us and the butterflies visiting them.
The Piazza itself is quite popular especially for families with children that enjoy the shallow fountain in the middle of the plaza. To our delight humans are not the only people enjoying the water with a few sparrows being the local species of sparrow, Italian Sparrow, a lifebird for us.
The other famous sight in this area is the Bosco Verticale. A complex of two residential skyscrapers they are distinct due to the two thousand tree species distributed on the facades. It is quite a sight and it would be beautiful to live there, and prohibitively expensive we assume.
We then continue south through the residential area. It has some interesting buildings and sights especially of the Piazza behind us.
One interesting feature during our walks in Milan is the availability of water fountains almost anywhere. Given that it is hot outside and we carry only a small bottle of water they are very welcome and we stop to refresh and refill whenever we see one. The pigeons have also discovered them and are always in force near them – water is precious even here.
Soon we arrive at our goal – the Chiuse di Leonardo da Vinci, a pair of locks designed by Leonardo da Vinci. They were part of the system of man made canals that were linking Milan to the sea, quite an undertaking for the time.
Next is Corso Como a relatively famous street lined with cafes and restaurants. Initially we planned to eat around here but we are still full after the breakfast so we just explore the street as we make our way toward the Monumentale Cemetery.
There are some nice buildings on Corso Como so we keep our eyes up to admire the buildings before we continue on our way.
Last short stop before the cemetery is the Basilica Santuario Sant’Antonio di Padova that we see from a distance and draws us in. Unfortunately there are a few aggressive beggars in front so we decide to skip entering it and make our way to the Monumental Cemetery.
