Castles near Milan

Opulence, impressive architecture and a prestigious past: the outskirts of Milan, away from the chaos and grey skyscrapers, preserve villas and castles to discover, often surrounded by green areas for relaxing breaks.

Villa Litta

Near the lakes, about twenty miles from Milan, Lainate is mostly known as industrial center (especially for industries producing chewing gum), but it hides a treasure. The wonderful Villa Litta built by Fabio Visconti Borromeo in 1560, was strongly modified by Pirro I Visconti Borromeo who, inspired by the villas in the Medician Tuscany around 1585 turned it into a playful site. In addition, Pirro I built the "Ninfeo" in the garden, richly decorated. The wide park is a splendid example of Italian Renaissance garden with
caves, statues, and fountains. It is open in spring and summer but in winter you can visit some of the rooms just in occasion of special events, such as the "Aperitif Concerts", the third Sunday of January and February.

Villa La Valera

Not far away, in Arese, you can take a break at Villa La Valera, eighteenth-century mansion - private property - with double court, an Italian garden and an english style park. Twenty minutes from Lainate, Parabiago is easy to reach; it is another industrial town famous for shoes but it preserves architectural traces of different periods, in particular Villa Felice Gajo, Art Nouveau. Moving away from Milan, to the west, you can visit the castle of the Visconti Turbigo: dating back the thirteenth century, the building demonstrates the particular importance of the town as a strategic point to cross the Ticino, on the way from Como to Novara. You can see there the beautiful towers. Also worth to see the Villa Gray park.

Villa Crivelli and Peralza

Magenta, a Roman town belonging to the Lombard Park of the Ticino Valley, is famous for the bloody battle of 1859 when Napoleon III and Victor Emmanuel II passed here to get to Milan. Magenta hosts several interesting buildings: for example Villa Crivelli and the "Peralza". This is a farmhouse, dating back 1692 with frescoed halls and beautiful porticos.

The Castle Sforzesco

About 15 km from Magenta, Abbiategrasso hosts the Castello Sforzesco of 1382. A rectangular building, it is very simple and austere, preserved only in part, and it houses the city library and the "Foundation for the Promotion of Abbiatense". Another Visconti castle worthy of a trip, a half hour from Abbiategrasso, is the Binasco, from the fifteenth century, used as town hall. Just to the south-east of Milan you can reach the castle of Peschiera Borromeo, built in 1432 by the noble family.

The Villa San Carlo Borromeo

On the outskirts of Milan, in Senago, the Villa San Carlo Borromeo, fourteenth century, combines the prestige with a touch of glamour.
Inside, there is a five star hotel, welcoming guests in luxurious rooms, balconies, decorated ceilings, Murano glass chandeliers.
In addition, its art gallery is full of works coming from around the world. Temporary exhibitions are open to the public every day except Monday and a tour of the villa is only possible by appointment.