If you want to feel small and vaguely dominated by the looming presence of architecturally imposing buildings, have a walk in the streets around Palestro and enjoy the view. If you then feel overwhelmed, but want a taste of something VIP, you can take shelter at Villa Necchi: had it been in America, this place would have been home to some Hollywood star, or the location for some unintelligible, slow, existentialist movie by Sofia Coppola. Villa Necchi is a private house built in the Thirties by Pietro Portaluppi, the archistar of the time, who also has the honor of having built the first private pool in Milan (the second overall). If you’re passionate about design and stylish furniture, you can visit the interiors for a couple of Euros.
Photo by Alice Gemignani
In case you feel like being a bit flâneur, just visit the café: it’s open to the public and the perfect place to read a book on the poolside (alas, it’s not allowed to dive into the pool anymore, but it’s still a great scenic element) or think about life while observing the huge greenhouse structure that used to cover the private tennis court (an ultra-chic detail). Once a year Villa Necchi hosts Orticola, a floral event: at this time the structure, already quite fascinating, colors up with every kind of plants. If you’re lucky enough to visit it in those days, you’d kill two birds with one stone.
VILLA NECCHI CAMPIGLIO
Via Mozart 14, Milano
☎︎ 02 7634 0121
Metro M1 Palestro
Bus 54 C.so Monforte Via Donizetti
Bus 61, 94 C.so Venezia Via Senato
