L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 10 L'Italo-Americano M ilan, we all know it, is full of life, c u l t u r e , a n d s u r - prises. Considered by many the most cosmopolitan and international city in Italy, it is famous for its fashion, col- orful urban life, and fashion- ably iconic locations, like La Scala theater, or the Trian- golo della Moda. B u t , b e y o n d t h e w e l l - known paths of its city cen- t e r , y o u ' l l f i n d n e i g h b o r - hoods that can charm you as no other, places you, per- haps, wouldn't expect to find in Milan at all. Quartiere Gorla, known for its mix of history, beauty, and local charm, is one of them. Located in the northeast- e r n p a r t o f M i l a n , a l o n g t h e N a v i g l i o d e l l a M a r t e s a n a c a n a l , t h e Gorla district lies between the central city and the Viale Monza area, and it is well connected to the city center via the M1 metro line. O f t e n r e f e r r e d t o a s Milan's "Little Paris," Gorla offers a peaceful con- t r a s t t o t h e f a s t - p a c e d lifestyle of central Milan. It earned its nickname in the early 19th century due to its popularity among Milanese aristocrats who sought relax- ation and leisure along its canal and around its elegant villa: with La Martesana's tree-lined banks, its many elegant estates, and its pleas- ant ambiance, Gorla had a q u i n t e s s e n t i a l l y P a r i s i a n charm, which specifically evoked the image of the Bois d e B o u l o g n e . I n d e e d , t h e N a v i g l i o d e l l a M a r t e s a n a — a w a t e r w a y that has been integral to the a r e a f o r c e n t u r i e s , a n d d e s i g n e d b y n o n e o t h e r than Leonardo da Vinci — has always been a central part of the area's beauty and attractiveness. G o r l a , h o w e v e r , h a s n ' t always been part of Milan. In fact, it officially became one of its districts in 1923, during a period of urban expansion w h e n s e v e r a l a r e a s w e r e incorporated into the city to accommodate its growing population and industrial development. Before then, Gorla was part of a rural area along the Martesana canal, with a focus on agriculture a n d l o c a l c r a f t s m a n s h i p , much like many other vil- l a g e s s u r r o u n d i n g M i l a n before the city's expansion. Gorla's historical charm, however, contrasts sharply with a darker chapter in its history. On October 20, 1944, during World War II, the neighborhood became t h e s i t e o f a d e v a s t a t i n g bombing: the target was not military, but a tragic error l e d t o t h e b o m b i n g o f t h e F r a n c e s c o C r i s p i school, resulting in the loss of 184 children's lives. This catastrophe left an indelible m a r k o n t h e c o m m u n i t y and, today, the Monumento Ossario dei Piccoli Martiri, designed by Remo Brioschi, stands as a reminder of the event, honoring the memory of these young victims. Despite the tragedy, Gorla remains a beautiful neigh- borhood full of historical landmarks. The area's villas, many of which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, are architectural highlights that fully show how affluent the district was, especially between the end of the 19th a n d t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e 20th century. Villa Finzi is p e r h a p s o n e o f t h e m o s t notable: surrounded by lush gardens, the villa has been preserved as a green space for the public, the Parco di V i l l a F i n z i , w h i c h i s a favorite spot for families and visitors. Villa Finzi is also known for a somewhat mys- terious and esoteric connec- tion to the Masons, through t h e e e r i e T e m p i o d e l l a N o t t e : b u i l t i n 1 7 9 6 by Baron Peter von Braun, t h e t e m p l e i s b e l i e v e d t o have served as a Masonic initiation site, which adds a tad of intrigue and occult charm to the villa and its surroundings. Another important archi- tectural landmark is Villa Angelica, an elegant resi- dence, which well reflects t h e r e f i n e d t a s t e s o f M i l a n e s e n o b i l i t y a n d remains a symbol of Gorla's c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e b e a u t y a n d e l e g a n c e o f l a B e l l e Epoque. V i l l a S i n g e r , o n t h e other hand, adds an indus- trial twist to the area's histo- ry, as it was originally a per- fume distillery, and played a vital role in the local econo- m y b y u t i l i z i n g t h e Martesana canal to trans- port essential ingredients. But, when talking about Quartiere Gorla's architec- tural landmarks, we cannot forget the literary-famous Cassina de' Pomm (or the Apple House), which was m e n t i o n e d i n A l e s s a n d r o Manzoni's classic novel, The B e t r o t h e d ( I P r o m e s s i S p o s i ) . T h e C a s s i n a d e ' Pomm, which marked the e n t r a n c e o f R e n z o Tramaglino into Milan in M a n z o n i ' s b o o k s , h a s become an iconic spot for history enthusiasts and liter- ary buffs alike, with visitors o f t e n w a l k i n g t h e s a m e paths along the Martesana canal as Renzo. Today, Quartiere Gorla is a corner of Milan where you can really get "the best of b o t h w o r l d s , " h i s t o r i c a l appeal and modern conve- nience. With its strategic location along Viale Monza, Gorla offers quick access to t h e h e a r t o f M i l a n w h i l e maintaining a more relaxed, r e s i d e n t i a l a t m o s p h e r e . Public transport, particular- ly the Gorla and Turro metro s t a t i o n s o n t h e M 1 l i n e , makes commuting to the city c e n t e r f a s t a n d e f f i c i e n t , connecting this quiet corner of Milan to its urban core within minutes. Real estate in the area is diverse, from historic homes t o m o r e c o n t e m p o r a r y apartments, and can cater to a wide range of preferences. With rental prices ranging f r o m a r o u n d 9 7 5 U S D t o 1500 USD per month for a t w o - b e d r o o m a p a r t m e n t , and purchase prices starting at 270,000 USD and going up to 435,000 USD for simi- l a r p r o p e r t i e s , G o r l a i s accessible for different bud- gets. It offers an attractive mix for both young profes- sionals seeking easy access to Milan's business districts and families who appreciate its quieter, greener spaces. Quartiere Gorla may not b e M i l a n ' s m o s t f a m o u s neighborhood, but it is cer- tainly one of its most charm- ing: from its stately villas and picturesque canal to its history and literary connec- tions, we can say that, here, the past remains alive and beautiful, in many unexpect- ed ways. GIULIA FRANCESCHINI The Gorla district, Milan's "little Paris" ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES A view of Milan (Photo: Michal Bednarek/Dreamstime) and, bottom right, La Scala Theater in the city center: the Gorla District is only a short metro ride away from the heart of the Lombardia capital (Photo: Giovanni Gagliardi/Dreamstime)

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