Bona Ventura

Walking routes · Milan

Porta Romana to Chiaravalle Abbey: Fondazione Prada and the Vettabbia valley

South from the 1596 Spanish gate along the old road to Rome, through the gin distillery turned art campus at Largo Isarco, into the Parco della Vettabbia, farmland the Cistercians drained from the 12th century, to the abbey St Bernard founded in 1135 with its tower nicknamed the Ciribiciaccola, and its mill.

Best time: Saturday or Sunday, when the abbey's shop and refreshment point are open all day (09:00-18:00); avoid Monday

The route, stop by stop

  1. 1
    Arco di Porta Romana

    Piazza Medaglie d'Oro. The monumental arch was built in 1596 for the entry of Margaret of Austria, bride of Philip III of Spain, on the line of the Spanish walls; it sits on the ancient road to Rome. 10 min.

  2. 2
    Fondazione Prada

    Largo Isarco 2. Opened 9 May 2015: OMA / Rem Koolhaas converted an early-1900s gin distillery and added three buildings, including the Torre. Bar Luce, designed by Wes Anderson to evoke old Milan, is inside. Opening hours and prices not verified (official site blocked). 60-90 min.

    Contemporary art in a converted distillery with a gold-leaf 'Haunted House' and the Torre tower; Wes Anderson designed its Bar Luce.

  3. 3
    Parco della Vettabbia

    Part of the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano, named after the Vettabbia canal that crosses it. The land was reclaimed and farmed by the Chiaravalle monks from the 12th century; its first stretch is called the Valle dei Monaci, on a path that links Milan to the Via Francigena. Birds of prey, foxes and owls are often seen. 30 min.

  4. 4
    Chiaravalle Abbey and Mill

    Via Sant'Arialdo 102. Cistercian monastery founded by St Bernard of Clairvaux in 1135, five km from Porta Romana; tradition says Grana Padano cheese was born here in 1135. Look up at the crossing tower, the Ciribiciaccola. The monks' shop and refreshment point open Tue-Fri 09:00-12:00 and 15:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-18:00, closed Monday. 45 min.

    A Cistercian abbey founded by St Bernard of Clairvaux in 1135, still home to monks, in the rice and farm fields of the Parco Agricolo Sud inside the city limits. The octagonal…

  5. 5
    Mulino di Chiaravalle

    The abbey mill beside the monastery, open for guided visits and workshops for groups and schools (booked through the monastery). Back to town: bus 77 stops in front of the abbey and runs to Corvetto (M3) and Brenta (M3). 10 min.

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