29. Centrale, Repubblica

This area has developed around Centrale Station: once it was the location for big factories, including the houses for workers, in line with the Isola district.
In the ‘50s many tertiary towers arose, which are nowadays a background for the big development of Porta Nuova, which has filled the empty space left by the Varesine railway station, which is currently the longest Milanese walkway through futuristic skyscrapers.

This area combines the modernity of the Porta Nuova and Palazzo Lombardia skyscrapers with the popular soul related to the web of little streets nearby Fara street.

The marked accommodating and tertiary vocation is evident in the buildings nearby Centrale Station.

This area is meant for those who love discovering, referring to both elegant facades and unexpected courtyards, and little items or ethnic products shops in the quietest streets.

The residential element is mixed with hotels and offices, creating a mix which makes this area lively at all hours.

In this area art comes from the road: The Colonne dell’Arte are pillars of the Palazzo Lombardia, which have been transformed into art works by contemporary artists and can be seen at all hours from the glass walls of Restelli street.

The NYX Hotel interiors and bar’s ornaments are enriched with the Urbansolid, Seacreative and Peeta street art works.

In front of Centrale Station, the giant Pistoletto Apple is a background for an improvised meeting point for skaters in the Square itself; the colourful Repubblica MM/ Passante Ferroviario exits are fully painted by street artists thanks to the Artepassante Project.

The most evident offers are tertiary centres and big hotels; however, you can find also real estate offers for all budgets: from council houses to small middle-class apartment buildings to the post-war high-quality architectures.

Do not miss the spectacular view on the city from the Rooftop Bar of the Terrazza Gallia, with a view on Centrale Station. You will be amazed by the unexpected small domes which crown the houses of Corso Buenos Aires and the elegant Oratory loveliness of the XV century, which belongs to the Cascina Pozzobonelli.

You must stop by at the Boschi Di Stefano Collection, which is the result of the beautiful Marieda Di Stefano and Antonio Boschi’s history of passion and patronage; do not miss the graffiti of Sammartini street, which are dedicated to the female partisan who hid messages in the flower in her hair, and the exuberant Liberty facade of the house in Caretto street.

This area is close to the Giardini Pubblici, with the Planetario, the Museo di Storia Naturale and the Villa Reale.
Not too far from it there is the Città Studi, an historical city area, which has been made young and lively by the presence of the university students. Close to it the brand new development of Porta Nuova stands out, one of the most trendy districts of Milan, and there’s also the Isola District, which is the symbol of the Milanese ability of rolling its sleeves up, regenerating itself, creating beauty and modernity, without denying its own origins.
The Porta Venezia Liberty district is the abode of the exclusive Milanese middle class, and it can be easily reached for a visit to Villa Necchi or for admiring the magnificent sinuous and colourful elegances of Casa Galimberti.