Park Sempione in Milan: a combination of nature and tranquility

Parco Sempione

Located between Castello Sforzesco and Corso Sempione, to which it owes its name, Parco Sempione is historically Milan’s second city park, as well as, with its 47 hectares of land, the largest of the city’s central parks.

It was realized between 1890 and 1893 by architect Emilio Alemagna in the area where the largest ducal garden, called il “Barcho,” spread out in the 15th century, and owes its existence to the period of building crisis taking place in Milan during that time.

The English-style park is characterized by a vast central meadow, framed by paths and canes, stretching from south to north along its entire length, creating a wonderful perspective impression between the Castello and l'Arco della Pace, located at their respective ends.

In the middle of the meadow, exactly halfway between the two monuments, there is a lake that forks into two “arms,” one of which has the “Ponte delle Sirenette” bridge, moved here in 1830 as a result of the covering of one of the canals over which it was located. The four statues adorning it, made of cast iron and the work of sculptor Tettamanti, are known in Milan as the “cast iron sisters.”

In the central part of the park are De Chirico‘s “Fontana metafisica” or “Bagni misteriosi” (secret baths), several playgrounds, and Monte Tordo, which hosts the monument “Monumento a Napoleone III” made by Francesco Barzaghi and a small neighborhood library.

Outside the fence that surrounds the central part of the park, in the eastern periphery, is l'Arena– Stadio Civico, a neoclassical building erected by Luigi Canonica in 1806, home of sporting events. Nearby are l'Acquario Civico and a fountain with water reeking of sulfur, called rotten water, very familiar to Milanese.

On the western side rises the Palazzo dell'Arte, home of the Triennale di Milano , and next to it is Torre del Parco (Torre Littoria).