Framed by Corso Venezia, Via Mozart, Via Vivaio and Via Serbelloni, the Quadrilatero del Silenzio is just around the corner from NEMI.
Thus dubbed for its quiet, secluded mood, the district is a genuine architectural gem, a remarkable blend of history, elegance and eccentricity in a highly evocative setting. Strolling along, you’ll be enchanted by the beauty of its Liberty and Art Nouveau avenues, testaments to a time when the Milan bourgeoisie commissioned sumptuous residences in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
One of the finest examples is Villa Necchi Campiglio, designed by Piero Portaluppi, a masterpiece of Italian architecture and now a historic house museum.
Surrounded by a lush garden complete with swimming pool, the first private one in Milan, it is a perfect fusion of the traditional and the modern, with graceful interiors and fine works of art.
Normally closed to the public, the collection of Far-Eastern applied arts, one of the Necchi and Campiglio families’ passions, will be made available exclusively for NEMI guests to explore.
If Villa Necchi Campiglio looks a little familiar, that’s no surprise – it has appeared in multi-award-winning films from the Oscar-nominated “I am love” by Luca Guadagnino to Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci”.
The nearby Palazzo Berri-Meregalli catches the eye with its eclectic façade and decorative details that are part Middle Ages and part Renaissance.
The first thing you notice is the magnificent entrance hall with its splendid mosaic floor, wrought ironwork and sculptures, including Adolfo Wildt’s celebrated “Victory”. But it is the unexpected aura of enchantment that really makes this residence feel special, an all-enveloping world unto itself.
Wildt is also known for another mark he left on the neighbourhood: the famous “earphone”, an extravagant bronze sculpture from the 1930s on the front of Palazzo Sola-Brusca that doubles as an entry phone, one of the district’s most iconic and photographed details.
Another landmark in Milan’s Quadrilatero del Silenzio is the renowned Casa 770, a building in a Flemish neo-Gothic style that stands out among the Art Nouveau façades.
With its red bricks, triple gable end and mysterious air, it is a one-off in the Milanese architectural scene, and there’s a curious story behind it too. For there are a dozen almost identical structures just like it all over the world, from Canada and the States to Australia and Brazil.
Continuing our journey, the next thing to note is the ivy-clad Villa Mozart, with a vertical garden that was decades ahead of today’s sustainable-building trends. It’s another example of the encounter between nature and architecture that’s such a feature of the Quadrilatero.
This meeting of worlds plays out to full effect in the garden of Villa Invernizzi, where pink flamingos strut their splendid stuff before visitors’ surprised admiring eyes.
Apart from the architecture, what makes Milan’s Quadrilatero del Silenzio so special is the enchanting atmosphere. The streets are peppered with hidden details, secret gardens and curious fountains that reveal anecdotes of a living past to those who know where to look. And we’ll hear about it from one of the people who live, work and create here, inspired by the secluded beauty of these streets. The Quadrilatero del Silenzio, then, is much more than just a suburb: it’s an exploration of history and art, a haven of peace in the heart of Milan that never fails to surprise and entrance.
Details
- Duration: from 1 to 3 hours
- Can be tailored on request
- With the insights of a specialist guide
- Guided tour of Villa Necchi Campiglio with exclusive access to the Far-Eastern rooms
- The chance to meet a local artisan/creator
