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Amble Through Milan’s Parco Sempione
Published by Anna Shevchenko, Writer
Country: Italy 
The Experience
Parco Sempione is an urban park located in the heart of Milan, Italy. The park was created in 1888 in order to provide a green area for locals of the city who were negatively influenced by rapid expansion and industrialization. Parco Sempione was named after Corso Sempione: a major avenue of Milan that existed since the times of Napoleonic Empire.
Parco Sempione is near 386,000 square meters in area, and it stretches between two great buildings of Milan: Castello Sforzesco on one side, and the arch of Porta Sempione on the other. Architect Emilio Aemagna designed Parco Sempione in a way that would provide panoramic views of the two monuments.
Castello Sforzesco (the Sforza Castle) used to be the seat and residence of the Duchy of Milan, the ancient state that ruled over northern Italy. Today, the Sforza Castle houses a number of city museums, like the museums of Ancient and Applied Arts, and the Archeological Museum. As you enter Parco Sempione, you get to walk through the courtyard of the Sforza Castle from the southeast corner.
Arco della Pace (the Arch of Peace) was built in the 19th century in the middle of Piazza Sempione, on the other side of Parco Sempione across from the Sforza Castle. Completed in the neoclassical style of architecture, the Arch of Peace is decorated with bas-reliefs, columns and statues that depict major historical events of Italy and Europe.
Another important landmark of Parco Sempione is Arena Civica. Located in the northeastern part of the park, the Arena Civica dates back to 1805, and it’s modelled after a Roman amphitheatre. Today, Arena Civica is the main venue for sports and cultural events held in Milan.
Parco Sempione also houses Palazzo dell’Arte and Acquario Civico. Built in 1933, Palazzo dell’Arrte now holds the design museum of the city, La Triennale di Milano; and Acquario Civico is a public aquarium. Built in a beautiful art nouveau building, the Acquario Civico was completely renovated in 2006. Although it is not big, there are over 150 different marine species represented there, it’s free to visit.
On a clear day in Parco Sempione, make sure to climb Torre Branca. At 108.6 m tall, this iron panoramic tower is the fourth highest structure in Milan. With the cloudless skies, you can get a great view of Milan, and well as a view as far as the snow tops of the Alps and the Apennines.
Enjoy the monuments while strolling around Parco Sempione, or simply go there to relax. During the evenings and weekends in the summer, the vast green lawns are filled with people. There is music coming from the park’s cafés, as well as street performers and picnickers with their guitars. Grab a snack or an ice cream from a food stand, and stretch out on the grass. Read a book or even browse the Internet since the park offers a free WiFi connection throughout the entire area. If you get bored, explore the winding alleyways of Parco Sempione. There are waterways with bridges over them, and an artificial pond with turtles. For sport lovers, there are basketball courts in Parco Sempione, and people are always playing soccer (this is Italy after all) or volleyball on the grass too. Milan locals love foreigners, and will always welcome you to their game.
Parco Sempione is near 386,000 square meters in area, and it stretches between two great buildings of Milan: Castello Sforzesco on one side, and the arch of Porta Sempione on the other. Architect Emilio Aemagna designed Parco Sempione in a way that would provide panoramic views of the two monuments.
Castello Sforzesco (the Sforza Castle) used to be the seat and residence of the Duchy of Milan, the ancient state that ruled over northern Italy. Today, the Sforza Castle houses a number of city museums, like the museums of Ancient and Applied Arts, and the Archeological Museum. As you enter Parco Sempione, you get to walk through the courtyard of the Sforza Castle from the southeast corner.
Arco della Pace (the Arch of Peace) was built in the 19th century in the middle of Piazza Sempione, on the other side of Parco Sempione across from the Sforza Castle. Completed in the neoclassical style of architecture, the Arch of Peace is decorated with bas-reliefs, columns and statues that depict major historical events of Italy and Europe.
Another important landmark of Parco Sempione is Arena Civica. Located in the northeastern part of the park, the Arena Civica dates back to 1805, and it’s modelled after a Roman amphitheatre. Today, Arena Civica is the main venue for sports and cultural events held in Milan.
Parco Sempione also houses Palazzo dell’Arte and Acquario Civico. Built in 1933, Palazzo dell’Arrte now holds the design museum of the city, La Triennale di Milano; and Acquario Civico is a public aquarium. Built in a beautiful art nouveau building, the Acquario Civico was completely renovated in 2006. Although it is not big, there are over 150 different marine species represented there, it’s free to visit.
On a clear day in Parco Sempione, make sure to climb Torre Branca. At 108.6 m tall, this iron panoramic tower is the fourth highest structure in Milan. With the cloudless skies, you can get a great view of Milan, and well as a view as far as the snow tops of the Alps and the Apennines.
Enjoy the monuments while strolling around Parco Sempione, or simply go there to relax. During the evenings and weekends in the summer, the vast green lawns are filled with people. There is music coming from the park’s cafés, as well as street performers and picnickers with their guitars. Grab a snack or an ice cream from a food stand, and stretch out on the grass. Read a book or even browse the Internet since the park offers a free WiFi connection throughout the entire area. If you get bored, explore the winding alleyways of Parco Sempione. There are waterways with bridges over them, and an artificial pond with turtles. For sport lovers, there are basketball courts in Parco Sempione, and people are always playing soccer (this is Italy after all) or volleyball on the grass too. Milan locals love foreigners, and will always welcome you to their game.
When to Go to Milan Parco Sempione
Parco Sempione is great for visiting any time of the year. The trees offer plenty of shade is the summer, and in winter you will find plenty of things to do indoors if you get cold (just visit the Castello, or any of the landmarks mentioned above). The lawn space is best enjoyed mid-spring through to early autumn. Most trees in the Parco Sempione are in bloom late spring.
Parco Sempione is walking distance from metro stations Cadorna, Caroli Castello, and Lanza Brera.
Parco Sempione is walking distance from metro stations Cadorna, Caroli Castello, and Lanza Brera.
Odds n' Ends
Castello Sforzesco is open daily and is free to visit. The museums are open every day, except Mondays. The museums cost 6 euro to visit, and a half-price discount is available for students and seniors. Free admission is granted to anyone under 25. Castello has a great website with a lot of information available in English:
http://www.milanocastello.it/ing/home.html
La Triennale di Milano is open Monday through Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; on Thursdays and Fridays the museum is open as late as 11 p.m. Regular ticket is 8 euro, but a number of discounts are available online (including seniors, youth under 26, and others) at www.triennaledesignmuseum.it.
You can visit the aquarium Tuesday through Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Note that the aquarium is closed for lunch from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The cost of visiting Torre Branca is 4 euro. Opening times vary depending on the season.
http://www.milanocastello.it/ing/home.html
La Triennale di Milano is open Monday through Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; on Thursdays and Fridays the museum is open as late as 11 p.m. Regular ticket is 8 euro, but a number of discounts are available online (including seniors, youth under 26, and others) at www.triennaledesignmuseum.it.
You can visit the aquarium Tuesday through Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Note that the aquarium is closed for lunch from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The cost of visiting Torre Branca is 4 euro. Opening times vary depending on the season.
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