Constructed at the end of the 19th century to merge and replace the previously existing graveyards of Milan, the Monumental Cemetery immediately became a focal point where many talented local artists got to express their skills by showcasing the eternal final resting places of some of Milan’s most illustrious and historical characters. During this two hour walking tour we will explore these vast grounds and admire the burial plots of these famous individuals.

Files of tombstones, funeral monuments and statues were made for some of the most famous deceased families of the city by an array of mainly local talented artists. This open-air museum will capture your imagination with its unexpected macabre beauty. Not only a look into the area’s distant past but also a glimpse into the modern and contemporary history of the city. The contributions of those individuals immortalized here have significantly contributed to the vibrant history of Milan and Italy in general.

The Monumental Cemetery of Milan is now the final resting place for the Campari family, the writer Alessandro Manzoni and the music conductor Arturo Toscanini just to name a few. From theater to sports, music and poetry, art and industry, the colorful stories of Milan’s famous characters are here forever etched in stone and have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the entire country. Visiting the Monumental Cemetery is an alternative and enchanting way to learn about the history of the city of Milan and its surrounding areas from a unique perspective.

Duration 2 hours

Meeting point Cimitero Monumentale Entrance gate

Since 2005 the appearance of the Milanese business district today called Porta Nuova, “the New Gate” has changed dramatically. It was officially completed in 2018 with the inauguration of the BAM (the “Library of Trees”), although some new projects are still in progress. Beautiful fountains, stained glass windows and skyscrapers are now the backdrop to swarming bank employees. The area offers visitors views of the tallest skyscraper in Italy (the Unicredit Tower) and the very Milanese “Vertical Forest”, voted in 2014 as the most beautiful skyscraper on the planet.

From there we’ll move on to the CityLife District and experience a ride on the state-of-the-art automatic subway train of the purple subway line. The CityLife neighborhood is an entirely unique area to Italy. Here, in the largest entirely-pedestrian area of the city of Milan we’ll discover the imposing and futuristic three towers and the luxury estate buildings designed by “Starchitects” Arata Isozaki, Zaha Hadid and Daniel Libeskind. The harmony and peace afforded by the presence of the parks, the modern architecture and the intrinsic beauty of the final project make owning an apartment in CityLife a prestigious status symbol. Something in complete alignment with a city whose inhabitants enjoy luxury residences on a grand scale.

Duration 2.5 hours

Meeting Point Gioia subway station exit on Via Melchiorre Gioia

Let’s start by getting familiar with the heart and headquarters of one of the wealthiest and most powerful courts of the Italian Renaissance: the Sfoza’s Castle (Castello Sforzesco in Italian), where artist such as Leonardo da Vinci were hired to delight the local lords with their works of art. Lords that have granted the city a majestic look, commissioning the construction of some of the most imposing and artistically relevant buildings.

The tour will then continue to the Brera district. A picturesque pedestrian area particularly appreciated by locals. A high concentration of tiny restaurants, art galleries and fine old-living curious shops are located here, near one of the most important museums in Northern Italy: the Brera Art Gallery.

We will then reach one of the greatest Opera Houses worldwide: the magnificent La Scala Theatre, where artists such as Mozart, Maria Callas, Liszt, Verdi and Pavarotti have performed and where still today, the best contemporary lyrics singers continue performing alongside dancers and musicians.

We’ll then stroll through the amazing architectural connector between the Scala Theatre and Milan’s main square: the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a parade of high fashion stores designed over 150 years ago as a tribute to the new born Italian Nation.

At the other end of the Gallery we’ll finally reach the greatest symbol of Milan: the Duomo, the 4th biggest Catholic cathedral in the world and a masterpiece of art and architecture. What a better place to end our tour if not here? The worthy crowning for a city that most people didn’t expect to be so beautiful!

Duration 2 hours

Meeting Point Piazza Castello at the big fountain facing the main tower of the castle