Walk 1 : The Park and its Villas

This walk or bicycle ride will take you to see the main Villas of the Park: Villa Mirabello,  Villa Mirabellino and Villa Reale.

Villa Reale (1) from the "side" entrance on Via Boccaccio.

The Villa was started in 1779 to Giuseppe Pieramrini's design and was completed by Canonica who added new wings. The lawn which acts as setting for the lovely rear faVade of the Villa Reale, is home to  a collection of “solitary” plants of great value: an oak (quercus robur), a plane tree, a ginkgo, a sequoia and others. 

From the South-Easert corner of the Villa follow the path into the shade  and along the wall to admire  a huge cedar.

Take the bridge across the irrigation ditch which is now dry,  and follow the path to the left until you reach the walls that divide the Royal Gardens (2) from the Park itself.

A wide path will lead you to a gate through which you may see the Cascina del Sole (3).  Leave the gardens and follow the paved road into Viale Mirabello.  This is a lovely oak-lined drive that will lead you to Villa Mirabello (4). Villa Mirabello was build in 1668, restored and integrated in 1768 by Cardinal Durini who then took up residence in the villa. Villa Mirabello could boast noteworthy frescoes and remarkable coffer ceilings – unfortunately visits are not possible because the building requires attention!

Turn left at the crossroad toward Viale di Vedano and follow this through to Porta Vedano (5) where you will turn left and follow a short uphill walk.  Turn left again and admire Villa Mirabellino (6). Villa Mirabellino was built in 1776 on a natural terrace opposite Mirabello to form a sort of perspective reference and “telescope” view which was interrupted in 1922 when a racecourse was built.  Only recently has the view been restored during restoration and revaluation works.

Follow Viale Mirabellino Southwards and turn left at the RAI antenna (7) – incidently the RAI building was designed by Gio Ponti.  Follow this drive to Cascina San Fedele (8) which you will see on raised ground on your right.  Cascina San Fedele was built in 1805 to Canonica’s design and encompasses sculptures taken from  the Church of Santa Maria in Brera of Milan.

You will now follow the drive onto Viale Mirabellino once again.  After a short walk you will cross Viale Cavriga at Bar Cavriga (9) and follow the path into the Royal Gardens where you will come across the Torretta (10) which is a medieval imitation built with theintent of creating a sort of historical association to augment the dignity of the place.

Walk along the left side of the pond and admire the small Doric Temple (11) on the other side of the pond.

You will return to where you started, at the Villa Reale, along shady and relaxing lanes.

This walk or bicycle ride is suitable for young and old alike,  especially on a hot summer day.  Time required?  Anything from 2 hours up to a whole day!