Milan walking tours by CGM Centro Guide Milano

13/06/2021

This is a trip out of town to Vaprio d'Adda, a village east of Milan that has always had a special tie to its river Adda. The monks, who left us precious testimony of sacred art, had been among the first ones to exploit its waters.
Waters which originated the Martesana canal, a real waterway which allowed to irrigate fields and transport goods. The beauty of the landscape attracted soon noble families, who chose Vaprio for their country mansions, where they invited friends and famous artists.
One of these guests was Leonardo da Vinci.

31/05/2021

Gorgonzola: the two Napoleons and the dawn

Gorgonzola, a tiny little town in the countryside eastern from Milan, crossed by the water canal Naviglio della Martesana, is usually known as birthplace of the Gorgonzola cheese. Actually the town is really worth a visit: it was chosen by some aristocratic families of Milan, as setting of their beautiful country houses (villas) matching the wealth and the social standing of the owners.
Among them, Villa Serbelloni (today Ca' Busca) stands out, it hosted firstly Napoleon Bonaparte in 1796 and secondly, on June 9th, 1853 Napoleon III. They slept in the same bed and in the room adorned with a beautiful fresco representing the Dawn. The owner of the mansion was the powerful duke Gian Galeazzo Serbelloni, first ambassador of the Cisalpine Republic in Paris. The Serbellonis greatly contributed to embellishment works and promoted the building of a new Church (1806-1820) and of a Hospital (1848). Gian Galeazzo Serbelloni is also remembered as benefactor of the poor and patron of the arts.

20/05/2021

In 2016 one of the greatest Italian artists died, the Jester of the theater who in 1997 won the Nobel Prize for literature.
A well-rounded man of the theater, he was an actor, director, writer, set designer, costume designer and impresario of his own company and above all the author of theater performances that make use of the comic styles typical of the Italian commedia dell'arte.

17/05/2021

The Jewish community of Milan is the second biggest in Italy after that of Rome and is relatively recent.
The first arrivals date back to the early nineteenth century with the liberties granted by Napoleon.
In 1849 the Jewish population had already reached 200 units, so that, with the demographic increase, in 1892 the large Sinagogue was built in the new elegant districts of the city, in via Guastalla and the project was entrusted to the architect Luca Beltrami.

09/05/2021

In Italy the Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second week of May: i.e. May 9th. On this day,
moms get gifts and flowers from their kids.
In Lombardy we prepare the cake of the Roses

Happy Mother’s day to all irreplaceable and wonderful moms from Milan.

photo: https://www.ilfaroonline.it/2019/05/11/un-piatto-boccioli-rose-la-festa-della-mamma/274057/

In tavola la ricetta della soffice torta salata o dolce a forma di corolla di roselline

05/05/2021

Did you know that Milan was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy wanted by Napoleon Bonaparte?
It seems that the Italian tricolor was chosen during the Napoleonic period, similar but not the same as the French flag, with the difference however, that instead of blue we have green.
May 5, the day of Napoleon's death is the title of the poem dedicated to him by a great Italian writer, Alessandro Manzoni, a fervent admirer of the general - French emperor and king of Italy.

25/04/2021

All over Italy today we celebre the Liberation Day, liberation from the fascist government and the N**i occupation of the country.
The date was chosen by the CNL (National Liberation Commitee) because on April 25, 1945 the appeal for the armed insurrection of the city of Milan, seat of the partisan command, left from Milan. This celebration is also known as the anniversary of the Resistance. (D.B.)

22/04/2021

If you have happened to pass through the Milano Lambrate station, you will certainly have noticed the large mural by Lena Cruz entitled "Anthropoceano" which represents an oil platform that has the shape of a plastic container.
The work, created to raise awareness on the end environmental problem, has a feature that makes it different than any other murals: it is made with "smog eating" resins.

06/04/2021

Today Carbonara Day!

La carbonara è la ricetta di pasta più famosa al mondo. Ma come è iniziato tutto? Roma, 1944. Un cuoco italiano incontra un soldato americano con una mission...

06/04/2021

The Marriage of the Virgin is one of the most famous works by Raffaello Sanzio, located in the Paintings Gallery of Brera in Milan.
The altarpiece previously owned by the Major Hospital in Milan was sold to the Museum to pay off some debts with the government in 1805.
This small anecdote to commemorate the disappearance of the painter from Urbino today.

05/04/2021

Easter Monday!
The Italians name this day also Lunedi dell’Angelo Angel Monday recalling the Bible episode of the angel meeting the women at the (empty) sepulchre of Jesus Christ.

Traditionally Italians celebrate this day taking a trip out of town with family or friends

05/04/2021

On Easter Monday Italians traditionally take a trip out of town. The Milanese don’t have to go too far. We just need to get out of the century-old city walls perimeter to reach a green and peaceful site. On the video you can admire the Church Santa Maria della Fontana with its miraculous spring water. The church had been founded in 1507 , after that the Governor of Milan had been healed by drinking it.

04/04/2021

We wish you Happy Easter with the fresco in the Ducal Chapel of Castle Sforzesco in Milan “ Risen Christ” attributed to the Italian painter Bonifacio Bembo (1470)

27/02/2021

21/02/2021

Your qualified tourist guides in Milan and Lombardy region! 😊

01/01/2021

Heartfelt wishes 2021! We thank you for the time you spent giving us your feedback to our posts looking forward to the day we can travel again safely! ✨🍹💖

23/12/2020

Click below the Duomo picture to see our spectacular Advent calendar dedicated to the works of art exhibited in some of the Milanese museums ❤️⬇️🎄 and...Merry Christmas!

CGM Centro Guide Turistiche di Milano has created an advent calendar for you! Happy holidays! :)