How long does it take to walk the Liberty route in Porta Venezia?

The full self-guided walk typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes. The distance is approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles), allowing plenty of time to stop and photograph the intricate facades and ironwork.

Is the Porta Venezia architecture walk free?

Yes, exploring the exteriors of these Milanese Liberty buildings is entirely free. Since this is a self-guided walk on public streets, there are no admission fees to view the famous facades like Casa Guazzoni or Casa Campanini.

Where can I see Art Nouveau in Milan?

The best concentration of Art Nouveau (known in Italy as Stile Liberty) is in the Porta Venezia neighborhood. Key streets to visit include Via Malpighi, Via Bellini, and Corso Venezia, where you will find the city's most famous floral-style buildings.

Is this walking route suitable for seniors?

Yes, the route is very manageable for seniors as it is almost entirely flat. The total walking distance is short, and there are many benches available for resting in the Giardini Indro Montanelli halfway through the walk.

What is the best time of day to see Casa Galimberti?

The best time is late morning or early afternoon. Because the facade is covered in colorful ceramic tiles, bright daylight helps the colors pop and makes it much easier to see the details of the painted figures.

Can I enter the buildings on this walking route?

Most of the buildings on this route, such as Casa Campanini and Casa Galimberti, are private residential apartment blocks and are not open to the public. However, the primary artistic value lies in their stunning exterior facades which are easily visible from the sidewalk.

What is 'Stile Liberty' in Italian architecture?

Stile Liberty is the Italian version of Art Nouveau, which flourished between 1890 and 1914. It is characterized by organic, floral motifs, the use of new materials like reinforced concrete and wrought iron, and a departure from classical symmetry.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Step away from the soaring spires of the Duomo and discover a Milan that blossomed with the organic curves and floral motifs of the early 20th century. This self-guided walk through the Porta Venezia district invites you to explore the 'Stile Liberty,' Italy's unique take on Art Nouveau. During this period, Milan's rising industrial class sought to express their new wealth and modern sensibilities through architecture that broke away from traditional neoclassicism. This neighborhood stroll reveals how iron, concrete, and ceramic were transformed into delicate vines, mythical creatures, and elegant human forms. You will encounter the works of pioneering architects like Giuseppe Sommaruga and Giovanni Battista Bossi, whose designs turned residential buildings into open-air galleries. The walking route begins at the exquisite Casa Campanini, once the architect's personal residence, and winds through quiet streets where every balcony and window frame tells a story of artistic rebellion. You will see the controversial 'buttocks house'—Palazzo Castiglioni—and the breathtaking ceramic facade of Casa Galimberti, which remains one of the most photographed spots in the city. This walking tour Milan offers a different perspective on the city's history, focusing on a time when art and industry merged to create a new urban identity. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast or simply a traveler looking for a more peaceful side of the city, this audio walk provides the context needed to appreciate these hidden gems. Beyond the buildings, the route takes you through the lush Giardini Indro Montanelli, providing a natural backdrop to the man-made floral designs of the surrounding district. By exploring independently, you can linger over the intricate wrought iron gates and cement sculptures at your own pace, truly soaking in the atmosphere of Milan’s Belle Époque. This neighborhood is a testament to a time when Milan was reinventing itself as a modern metropolis, making it an essential experience for anyone interested in the soul of the city.

Highlights

The iconic concrete caryatids at the entrance of Casa Campanini

Palazzo Castiglioni, the building that launched the Liberty movement in Milan

The vibrant, hand-painted ceramic tiles of Casa Galimberti

Intricate wrought-iron balconies and cement reliefs of Casa Guazzoni

The eclectic and mysterious architecture of the Berri Meregalli House

A peaceful stroll through the historic Giardini Indro Montanelli

Tour Stops (6)

Casa Campanini

Welcome to the start of your self-guided adventure. You are standing before Casa Campanini, built between 1904 and 1906 as the private residence of architect Alfredo Campanini. This building is a masterpiece of Milanese Liberty style. Look closely at the main entrance, where two large concrete caryatids—sculpted by Michele Vedani—frame the door. Unlike the rigid statues of the past, these figures seem to grow organically from the stone. Campanini designed every detail here, from the intricate wrought-iron gates created by the famous Alessandro Mazzucotelli to the interior frescoes. It was a bold statement of the architect's talent, serving as a 'living catalog' of what the Liberty style could achieve in a residential setting.

Berri Meregalli House

As you arrive at the Berri Meregalli House, you might feel a shift in atmosphere. Built between 1911 and 1913 by Giulio Ulisse Arata, this building is a fascinating and somewhat dark example of late Liberty style mixed with Romanesque and Gothic elements. The facade is a heavy mix of brick, stone, and wrought iron, featuring strange animals and grotesque figures. If you can peek into the entrance hall, you will see a famous sculpture by Adolfo Wildt titled 'La Vittoria.' The building represents the more eclectic and experimental side of Milanese architecture, where the lightness of floral Art Nouveau began to merge with more imposing, monumental forms.

Palazzo Castiglioni

This grand building is Palazzo Castiglioni, often called the 'Manifesto' of the Liberty style in Milan. Designed by Giuseppe Sommaruga and completed in 1903, it broke all the rules of the time. Originally, two large nude statues stood over the entrance. They caused such a scandal among the conservative Milanese public that they were nicknamed 'the buttocks of Corso Venezia' and eventually removed. Even without them, the building is stunning. Notice the rough-hewn stone at the base, meant to resemble a natural cliff side, and the delicate floral ironwork in the windows. It was the first building in Milan to fully embrace the modern Art Nouveau spirit on such a grand scale.

Giardini Indro Montanelli

Take a moment to enjoy the greenery of the Giardini Indro Montanelli. These gardens, established in the late 18th century, provide a perfect contrast to the stone and iron architecture you have been admiring. As you walk through, you are following in the footsteps of 19th-century Milanese high society who used these paths for their daily 'passeggiata.' The gardens are surrounded by some of the city's most important institutions, including the Natural History Museum and the Planetarium. In the context of our Liberty walk, the park serves as the lungs of the Porta Venezia district, reflecting the same appreciation for nature that inspired the floral designs on the nearby apartment buildings.

Casa Galimberti

Prepare to be dazzled by Casa Galimberti. Built between 1903 and 1905, this is perhaps the most colorful and photographed Liberty building in Milan. The architect, Giovanni Battista Bossi, covered almost the entire facade with ceramic tiles painted with figures of men and women, lush vegetation, and intricate patterns. These tiles weren't just for decoration; they were a practical way to keep the building clean in the industrial city. Take a moment to look at the wrought-iron balconies, which seem to flow like liquid metal. Casa Galimberti represents the peak of the 'floral' phase of Art Nouveau, where the goal was to turn a functional apartment block into a vibrant work of art.

Casa Guazzoni

Just a few steps away from Casa Galimberti sits its 'sister' building, Casa Guazzoni. Also designed by Giovanni Battista Bossi around the same time, it offers a different take on the Liberty style. While Galimberti focused on color and ceramics, Casa Guazzoni emphasizes texture and depth. Look at the elaborate cement carvings that wrap around the windows and the exceptionally fine wrought ironwork on the balconies. The figures depicted in the cement seem to be caught in movement, weaving through the architectural elements. This building marks the end of our walking route, standing as a final testament to the incredible craftsmanship and imagination that defined Milan's golden age of architecture.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Porta Venezia Liberty style walk is highly recommended for architecture enthusiasts. It focuses on the early 20th-century Art Nouveau movement, featuring landmarks like Casa Galimberti and Palazzo Castiglioni, located just a short walk from the city center.