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By l0da_ralta – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about the Sempione Park in Milan

Sempione is a massive green park close to the Sforzesco Castle. It has an English garden landscape and was created in the late 19^th century.

The park has unique tree species, well-trimmed bushes and flower gardens. There is also an artificial lake with turtles and attracts different bird species.

This city park has long been of historic significance to Milan. It is adjacent to historical monuments such as the Arch of Peace.

The architect responsible for the design of this park is Emilio Alemagna.

He designed it to allow the park goers to have panoramic views of both the Arch of Peace and Sforzesco Castle.

There are several other attractions in the Park that are worth checking out like Arena Civica, the public aquarium, and the Torre Branca tower.

If you’re looking for some green space while in Milan, head over to Sempione Park. You will enjoy some quiet time, have leisurely walks as you admire the greenery.

Here are some facts about the Park that you will find useful during your visit.

1. Sempione Park has the first iron bridge in Italy

It is known as the bridge of Little Mermaids or just the Mermaids bridge.

The bridge was built on a project by the architect Francesco Tettamanzi between 1840 and 1842.

This was the first iron bridge in Italy. The bridge of the mermaids was launched in 1842.

It was originally crossing over the canal at San Damiano but was moved in 1930 to the Sempione Park, where it is found to this day.

The bridge has four statues depicting mermaids on it.

As it was being moved to this park, the cast iron railing was damaged and was repaired with steel pipes.

Restoration of the bridge was done between 2001 and 2003 to its original design.

2. The Park was abandoned and set for agriculture

By l0da_ralta – Wikimedia

The park area used to be a forest land made up mainly of oaks and chestnut woods.

Exotic animals lived in the forest after they were brought there by members of the house of Sforza.

After the fall of the Sforza regime, the Spanish occupation took over of Milan.

The Park was abandoned and turned into an agricultural field. Later the Park was turned into a parade ground for soldiers stationed near Sforza Castle.

Sforza Castle was used as a barracks, resulting in the deterioration of the structures.

After the amalgamation of Italy, the military was moved from the area.

Subsequently, new buildings came up in the neighbourhood. The park area was redesigned into a city garden in 1894 by Emilio Alemagna.

3. The citizens refused to let a castle be built in the Park

A construction company proposed to redevelop the area around the ruined castle and the parade ground.

This proposal caused an uproar among the citizens of Milan who were opposed to it.

A committee was formed to draw a development plan for the urban area. Engineer Cesare Beruto developed a regulatory plan that was known as the Beruto Plan.

The plan included building territories on the area but was improved several times to include the entire parade ground.

Restoration plans of the castle were done with the intentions of changing it to cultural use.

4. Sempione Park is home to different animals and plants

By Spens03 – Wikimedia

The park occupies an area of more than 47 hectares. There are trees, bushes and flowers spread out among its many vivid green lawns.

It also has a pretty artificial lake which is home to several kinds of birds, turtles, squirrels and butterflies.

The Civic Aquarium in Parco Sempione was built in 1906 for the Universal Exhibition. It is filled with hundreds of rare aquatic species.

This aquarium is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most picturesque in Milan, thanks to its wonderful Art Nouveau style.

The moat of the Sforzesco Castle is home to the oldest cat colony in the city. There are about 60 cats that take care of the manor symbol of Milan.

5. Parco Sempione was landscaped in the English style

This park was modelled after the romantic English gardens of the nineteenth century.

Pedestrian paths and roads for cars that crossed the artificial landscape required maintenance.

The park intended to create a peaceful backdrop that served human comfort and enjoyment.

In 1906, the Park hosted the Milan International, a world fair focusing on transportation.

This was at a time when emerging industrial technologies allowed control over the physical environment to greater degrees.

Parco Sempione is, therefore, an emblematic confirmation of human triumph over all other forms of life.

6. This is the best recreational space in Milan

Photo by Ignacio Brosa on Unsplash

Sempione Park is a perfect haven for relaxation, walking, jogging, bike rides, picnicking or just about anything else to pass time.

The shaded areas, sculptures and baroque fountains are particularly inviting.

Flora and fauna thrive in this park as well as give the tranquillity needed in a public park.

This peaceful park is popular with tourists as well as Milanese who seek a breather from their busy city life.

7. Sempione Park has a Castle

There is an impressive red-brick fortress in this park that was initially built in the 14th century by the Visconti family.

The Castle almost got destroyed during the Golden Ambrosian Republic.

A great deal of renovation work was done to the Castle and later on, it was reconstructed in the 15th century.

This was when the Sforza family became the Dukes of Milan and it became one of the largest palaces in Europe.

Presently, the Sforza Castle is home to several museums. They house valuable art and masterpieces.

Michelangelo’s unfinished last work the Rondanini Pietà and Sala delle Asse and frescoes by Da Vinci can be viewed in the museum.

8. There is a historic gate at Sempione Park

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The Arch of Peace is a historic landmark of Milan. It marks one of the historic gates that was used by Napoleon when he invaded Northern Italy.

This commemorative monument is made of marble and was completed in 1838.

It is 23 metres tall and is topped with horse-drawn chariots. This landmark is not to be missed when visiting Milan.

9. Arena Civica is popular with sports lovers in the park

A popular sporting venue is found in the park.

The Arena Civica is also known as Arena Gianni Brera was named after a famous Italian journalist.

The arena was designed by Luigi Canonica and it was Napoleon’s mini-colosseum where he hosted a chariot race in 1807.

Several sporting events are held at this arena such as soccer, rugby and concerts.

10. There are more beautiful architecture in Sempione Park

By Daniel Case – Wikimedia

The architectural area around Sempione park is all about the nineteenth century.

They date from the Napoleon era to the placement of the piano Beruto, and the first Milano city masterplan from the 20^th century.

The most important monuments are the Palazzo dell’Arte by Giovanni Muzio and the Branca Tower by Gio Ponti.

These two monuments were built at the beginning of the 1930s and both are the finest examples of rationalist architecture.

A few meters towards Piazza Cadorna is the Casa al Parco by Ignazio Gardella. It is just in front of Parco Sempione and was built between 1947 and 1950.