Amidst the concrete jungle of Milan lies Guastalla’s charming little park

Sometimes in the midst of exploring a city, we can get lost in the hustle and bustle, until we feel the ache in our legs and yearn for a moment of respite. If you find yourself in this situation in Milan, don’t worry – there’s a solution. Nestled between Francesco Sforza and San Barnaba Streets, just across from the Università degli Studi, lies a small park (only 12,000 m²⁾ where you can escape the concrete jungle and bask in the beauty of nature. And the best part? It’s just a stone’s throw away from the iconic Duomo.

Paola Lodovika Torelli, Countess of Guastalli, was a remarkable woman born in 1499. After becoming widowed early in life, she moved to Milan at the age of 29 and sold her estates to establish a convent and college in 1555. Her goal was to provide education to “noble but spoiled” girls who were without a dowry or means of livelihood and might otherwise end up in a convent or in unfavorable situations. The original headquarters of the academy, which is still standing today, is located behind the Maggiore Hospital in a large building with a garden that currently serves as the Justice of the Peace headquarters.

In 1937, the city’s board of trustees decided to expropriate the building, and the college was moved to Monza.

When the park first opened to the public in 1939, it was connected to the park at Palazzo Sormani.

Originally there was a pond in Guastalla park, which was replaced by an artificial fish pool from the 17th century in the Baroque style, with two terraces, connected by stairs and balustrades enriched with white granite.

Other features include a kiosk, also from the 17th century, containing a group of polychromatic terra cotta sculptures depicting a penitent Magdalene being comforted by angels, as well as a noteworthy neoclassical Cagnola shrine.

The park also features a children’s playground and two fenced dog areas.

Outside the park, meanwhile, at the corner of via San Barnaba and via della Commenda is a small Baroque fountain.

In the park, note the many beautiful trees, among which a noteworthy one is Walt’s bigon catalpa, with its twisted trunk and asymmetrical crown. There are also many beautiful beech, chestnut, hornbeam, maple other trees.