Milan is a jem full of history, beauties and arts
Milan: Leonardo da Vinci’s Basin
A canal system that criss-crossed Milan designed by Leonardo
The Porte Vinciane (Da Vinci’s Gates) are one of Da Vinci’s places in Milan:
a canal system that criss-crossed Milan, designed by Leonardo himself, which was very important for communication and trade in the past.
Today, Da Vinci’s gates represent a symbol for Milan, to demonstrate how much the city owes to the water and how the Navigli could be used for business, trade and leisure even nowadays.
⇒ Watch the full web serie Milan & Leonardo da Vinci
Cover pic courtesy of Flickr user Alessandro (obliot)
Visit Turismo Milano official website
Video full text: Leonardo da Vinci’s Basin
This is one of Da Vinci’s places: these are the Porte Vinciane (da Vinci’s Gates).
This is the Incoronata Basin,
named after the parish here.
These bulkheads were designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
A drawing explaining these locks can be found in the Ambrosiana Library.
Da Vinci’s design is dated 1496,
a time when the canals that criss-crossed Milan
were important for communication and trade.
The system of bulkheads allowed boats to ascend and descend from one level to the next.
These wooden gates, preserved since that time, still remain.
There is still a lot of the original ironwork,
but beyond their restoration and their physical retrieval,
Da Vinci’s gates today have a particular significance for Milan:
this could be a refuse collection point, something it actually has been,
instead it is a very important symbol for Milan,
specifically restored on the occasion of Expo,
to demonstrate how much Milan owes to the passage of water.
And to try and create an awareness of just how much the Navigli could be used for business, trade and for leisure at weekends.
The Naviglio is represented by this type of work,
that just so happens to bear Leonardo da Vinci’s signature.
But to tell the story I’ve had to make my way into a part that cannot be accessed.
I’m back on the right side now!
Visit Milan: helpful hints
Italian name: Milano
Arrival
Milan has got three airports:
- Malpensa Airport is the largest international & intecontinental Airport in Northern Italy. 30 miles Northwest from the city centre. Connections:
→ Train Malpensa Express: trains leaves every 30 minutes in each direction, connecting the Airport to Milan Grand Central Station or Cadorna Railway Station. Terminals 1 and 2. It takes 45 min, price: 14 €
→ Shuttle Bus: Malpensa Shuttle and Malpensa Bus Express connect the airport to Milan Grand Central Railway Station and Milan’s Underground Network. Terminals 1 and 2. It takes 60/70 min, price: 8 € - City Airport Linate is an international airport connecting Milan with main European cities, located just 4 miles from the city centre. Connections by shuttle: Atm Bus n. 73 from Milano Duomo M1 – M3 (Piazza Diaz, direction: San Babila), first ride at 5.35 am, last one at 00.35. Frequency: every 10 min, price 1,5 €
- Milan Bergamo Airport Orio al Serio is mainly low cost flights Airport, located 30 miles Northwest from Milan. Connections only by Shuttle: There are 4 different bus companies, pricing changes from 5 up to 8 €
Transports
ATM is Milan public transport service both for bus, tram and subway. Single ticket costs 1.50€ for 90-min ride. Consider daily/weekly subscriptions. You can buy tickets also texting to 48444. Milan Subway is the longest in Italy, covering 95 km: Donwload and check the map.
Moving in town can be nice also by bike: Milan has got a powerfull bike sharing service providing both regular and e-bikes. Here is the experience of our Ambassador Kim Harding with BikeMi service and a useful video of our Ambassador Roxana explaining how does it work. Car Sharing is also good with many different companies to choose.
Try also the local urban railway train, called Passante Ferroviario, check the experience of our Ambassador Roxana Iacoban travelling by local train in town.
What to do in Milan
Milan is the Italian financial center and one of the European capitals of Fashion. Known for its nightlife as well.
Some tips on Italia Slow Tour: watch our web serie about Leonardo da Vinci’s places, climb on top of the Duomo, visit Prada Foundation, Museums and Art Galleries, taste some fine gelato and try the local Aperitivo and – not joking – enjoy a sailing trip (!!) or some time deep in the nature close to some actual farms and fields.
Where to sleep
Accomodations are quite expensive in Milan, fares rise up and hotels get full according to the rich event calendar of the city (see: Fashion Week, Salone del mobile, Big concerts, Theatre and Sport events, etc.). If you are not specifically interested in any of those, try to travel during other periods to save some money.
Italia Slow Tour recommends:
- Hotel Cervo in Garibaldi District if you want to stay close to city centre and enjoy the nightlife
- Hotel Concorde located on the Green Way Milan-Lecco to Lake Como, if you want to move around adn travel by bike
Shopping in Milan
The famous Fashion District involves the following streets/areas: Via Montenapoleone, via Manzoni, via della Spiga and Corso Venezia. The so called “Quadrilateral of Fashion”. Here you can find all kind of brands and shops. Easy to reach by Subway (stop at Montenapoleone station).
Don’t miss the Street Markets! Almost every day you can find one: best are the ones in Viale Papiniano (on Tuesday) and Via Fauchè (on Saturday). More on the official website of weekly street markets. If you are into sustainable local products, Milan has got 8 actual farms in town and a green Earth Market.
If you are interested in Outlet Shopping, in the outskirt of Milan you can find 4 different Fashion Outlets, in a radius of 62 miles. Here you can find everyday a lot of famous high quality Italian brands on sale, with prices cut off up to 50%. All the outlets are connected to the center of Milan by Shuttle Bus:
- Serravalle Designer Outlet – Shuttle departure from Milan Central Station or Cairoli square
- Fidenza Village Outlet Shopping – Shuttle departure from Piazza della Repubblica 5, at the corner with Turati st.
- Vicolungo The Style Outlets – Shuttle departure from Cairoli square
- Rodengo-Saiano Franciacorta Outlet Village – Shuttle departure from Cairoli square
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Il mio Slow Tour a Milano | Nomadizziamoci
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