Introduction to the Scalo di Porta Romana District 

 

Among all of Milan’s neighborhoods, the Scalo di Porta Romana is currently the one that best represents the city’s continuous evolution. 

Located to the south, just beyond Porta Romana and along Corso Lodi, this corner of the city embraces its past while beginning to reveal the future. 

 

The History of the District from the 1800s to Industrial Development 

 

The history of this area dates back to the late 19th century, when an assessment of the city’s railway connections highlighted the need for a station south of Milan. 

The new railway belt was inaugurated in 1896, along with the freight terminal that attracted numerous factories and working-class neighborhoods to what had been, until then, a rural area. 

Even though many of these factories no longer exist, the area’s industrial legacy is still evident. For example, the Lodi T.I.B.B. metro stop is named after the historic Tecnomasio Italiano Brown Boveri factory, once located nearby. 

Some industries have been recently repurposed after a period of abandonment, while others are still undergoing transformation. 

The History of Fondazione Prada in Milan

 

The new regenerative momentum in the district is largely due to Fondazione Prada, a cultural institution founded in 1993. Its Milan headquarters in Largo Isarco has breathed new life into an area that once seemed anchored in the past. Opened in 2015, the Fondazione emerged from the conversion of an old distillery, revitalizing this part of Milan. 

 

What to See in Scalo di Porta Romana

 

Many other industrial spaces have been repurposed for new uses, such as the Parco delle Memorie Industriali, which was once home to the Officine Meccaniche (OM); the Magazzini Generali, built in the early 20th century and now a trendy venue; Talent Garden, formerly a printing house and now a coworking space; and Teatro Vigentino, which used to be a fuel depot and truck weigh station. 

 

Today, the area is undergoing significant development, with numerous construction sites gearing up for the Winter Olympics in 2026. During the event, the former railway yard will become the Olympic Village. 

After the games, the area will be converted into student housing and a public park, while old factories will make way for the headquarters of major fashion and luxury brands, positioning Scalo di Porta Romana as the future creative and fashion district of Milan. 

Discover more