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Darsena di Milano

As well as being the city’s port, in the past the Darsena was also a highly important water junction.

Where
Piazza XXIV Maggio, Milano

The Darsena, as the Milanese knew it for four centuries, was commissioned and built in 1603 by Spanish governor Pedro Enríquez de Acevedo, Count of Fuentes (1525-1610): it was located against the new walls and, beneath these, a passage made it possible to access the new Viarenna lock; as it is now, the lock was partially located on the same level where the lake of Sant’Eustorgio once existed.

In September 2004 the Municipality of Milan gave its permission for a private developer to build an underground garage-car park on the site of the Darsena: the land was not considered to be of any archaeological interest. However, a series of finds uncovered shortly after excavation work began - the foundations of Spanish walls and a wooden platform thought to be the flooring of the original Viarenna lock - disproved this theory and necessitated the intervention of the authorities and the suspension of the work.

As regards the basin, the floor is covered by a few centimetres of water that trickle northwards while the south side is formed of a long island covered with luxurious wild vegetation that is home to various bird species: a small “clandestine natural oasis”.

As well as being the city’s port, in the past the Darsena was also a highly important water junction: it received the waters of the Olona and those that dripped from the internal ditch and diverted them to the Ticinello, which flowed beyond Porta Ticinese along the walls before turning south, and the Vettabbia. From one end to the other, the Darsena was 750 metres long and up to 25 metres wide with a surface area of 17,5000 m2 and a depth of up to 1.5 metres.

Take me here: Darsena di Milano

Places

The Red Oak of Porta Ticinese

There are two monuments that characterise Piazza XXIV Maggio, one architectural and one arboreal: Porta Ticinese and the big red oak.
  • Active & Green
The Red Oak of Porta Ticinese
20 mt

Navigli District

  • Lifestyle
Navigli District
173 mt

Church of Sant'Eustorgio

Founded in the fourth century, the basilica was enriched with valuable Renaissance additions and the famous Portinari chapel was built
  • Religious Tourism
Church of Sant'Eustorgio
205 mt

Museo Diocesano of Milan

Is located in the setting of the cloisters of Sant'Eustorgio, integral part of one of the most antique monumental complexes of Milan
  • Art & Culture
Museo Diocesano, Museums of Milan
272 mt

Naviglio Pavese

The Naviglio Pavese was a dream come true, the dream that had lasted five centuries of a direct link between Pavia and Milan.
  • Navigli
Naviglio_Pavese
341 mt

Columns of San Lorenzo

A space in the city where time seems to have stopped: just beyond the Porta Ticinese, one of the most evocative views of Milan
  • Art & Culture
Colums of San Lorenzo
661 mt

San Lorenzo Basilica

Majestic, it is preceded by 16 Roman columns, with Corinthian capitals, which delimit one side of the late-antique portico
  • Religious Tourism
San Lorenzo Basilica
668 mt

Ticinese columns of San Lorenzo

  • Lifestyle
Ticinese columns of San Lorenzo
671 mt

Milan, the Culture of flavours

  • Food & Wine
Pigeon skewer according to Enrico Bartolini
874 mt

Sant'Ambrogio Basilica

One of the symbols of the city of Milan, is dedicated to its patron saint, whose feast is celebrated every year on December 7th
  • Religious Tourism
Sant'Ambrogio Basilica, a monumental landmark
1.15 km

Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci

  • Art & Culture
Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci
1.28 km

Carcano Theater

Historic Milanese theater, it is still one of the largest halls in the city hosting prose, dance and music shows.
  • Art & Culture
Carcano Theater
1.3 km

Museo Mangini Bonomi

Housed in an elegant Milanese building, the museum exhibits an extensive collection organized in 40 sections
  • Art & Culture
Museo Mangini Bonomi, Musei Milano
1.32 km

Ambrosian Picture Gallery

It houses the largest collection of Leonardo's sheets, the Codex Atlanticus, exhibited thanks to temporary thematic exhibitions
  • Art & Culture
Ambrosian Picture Gallery
1.35 km

MUDEC

Multidisciplinary center dedicated to the cultures of the world, in the former Ansaldo area, in real monuments of industrial archeology
  • Art & Culture
MUDEC Cultures' Museum
1.43 km

Museo Giovani Artisti (Young Artists Museum)

  • Art & Culture
Museo Giovani Artisti (Young Artists Museum)
1.44 km

ArtLine

An open-air collection spread through one of the most modern districts of Milan, CityLife
  • Art & Culture
ArtLine
1.44 km

L.O.V.E.

Art that surprises and creates debate, the most thought-provoking by Maurizio Cattelan in Piazza Affari
  • Art & Culture
L.O.V.E.
1.44 km

Toiletpaper Street

A dreamlike, surreal installation by Cattelan and Ferrari transforms Via Balzaretti into an extraordinary visual experience
  • Lifestyle
Toiletpaper Street
1.44 km

The Grande Disco

A revelation of movement beyond the static, the art of Arnaldo Pomodoro between order and chaos, just a short walk from the city centre
  • Art & Culture
The Grande Disco
1.44 km

Events

Affetti instabili

Teatro comunale Fabrizio De Andrè
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
18/10/2024
  • Art & Culture
Affetti instabili
4.66 km

Xverso

Teatro comunale Fabrizio De Andrè
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
26/10/2024
  • Music and show
Xverso
4.66 km

Divorzio all'italiana

Teatro De Andrè
Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci, 23826, Mandello Del Lario (LC)
25/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
Divorzio all'italiana
4.66 km

L'albero di Natale

Teatro comunale Fabrizio De Andrè
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
13/12/2024
  • Art & Culture
L'albero di Natale
4.66 km

Suggestioni tra musica ed immagini

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
22/12/2024
  • Art & Culture
Suggestioni tra musica ed immagini
4.66 km

Da Bach a Jannacci tutto è... jazz!

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
17/01/2025
  • Music and show
Da Bach a Jannacci tutto è... jazz!
4.66 km

Lydia tra le nazioni

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
27/01/2025
  • Art & Culture
Lydia tra le nazioni
4.66 km

Khorakandré

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
01/02/2025
  • Music and show
Khorakandré
4.66 km

Pigiama per sei

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
13/02/2025
  • Art & Culture
Pigiama per sei
4.66 km

L'assaggiatrice di Hitler

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
28/02/2025
  • Art & Culture
L'assaggiatrice di Hitler
4.66 km

Lucio Battisti tribute show

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
15/03/2025
  • Music and show
Lucio Battisti tribute show
4.66 km

Pignasecca e Pignaverde

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
21/03/2025
  • Art & Culture
Pignasecca e Pignaverde
4.66 km

Fiori d'acciaio

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
04/04/2025
  • Art & Culture
Fiori d'acciaio
4.66 km

Lo stato delle cose

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci, 23826, Mandello Del Lario (LC)
09/05/2025
  • Art & Culture
Lo stato delle cose
4.66 km

Activities

On the Navigli between courtyards and old-fashioned houses

  • Art & Culture
On the Navigli between courtyards and old-fashioned houses
37 mt

Guided tour by boat on the Navigli of Milan

  • Art & Culture
Guided tour by boat on the Navigli of Milan
277 mt

Longboard course for beginners

  • Active & Green
Longboard course for beginners
1.16 km

San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, a very precious jewel

  • Art & Culture
San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, a very precious jewel
1.47 km

Licensed tour, hiking and experiential Guides in Lombardia

  • Active & Green
Licensed tour, hiking and experiential Guides in Lombardia
1.52 km

Private Tour discover Milan Highlights

  • Art & Culture
Private Tour discover Milan Highlights
1.52 km

Guided tour of Classic Milan

  • Art & Culture
Guided tour of Classic Milan
1.53 km

The Underground Milan – The hidden archaeological areas

  • Art & Culture
The Underground Milan – The hidden archaeological areas
1.67 km

Milan - Franciacorta

  • Golf
Milan - Franciacorta
1.73 km

Golf, Relax and Wine in Lombardy

  • Golf
Golf, Relax and Wine in Lombardy
1.8 km

On the vintage tram in Milan, in the 1920’s atmosphere

  • Art & Culture
On the vintage tram in Milan, in the 1920’s atmosphere
1.85 km

Leonardo da Vinci in Milan

  • Art & Culture
Leonardo da Vinci in Milan
1.86 km

The heart of Milan

  • Art & Culture
The heart of Milan
1.93 km

Fashion and Food in Milan

  • Food & Wine
Fashion and Food in Milan
2.12 km

Private walking tour Milan the city of fashion

  • Art & Culture
Private walking tour Milan the city of fashion
2.22 km

Aperitif on the Torre Branca, in the center of Parco Sempione

  • Art & Culture
Aperitif on the Torre Branca, in the center of Parco Sempione
2.26 km

Racing course with Formula BMW on an Italian racing track.

  • Active & Green
Racing course with Formula BMW on an Italian racing track.
3.24 km

Test Drive a Ferrari 458 on an Italian racing track.

  • Lifestyle
Test Drive a Ferrari 458 on an Italian racing track.
3.24 km

Test Drive a Ferrari 488 on an Italian racing track.

  • Lifestyle
Test Drive a Ferrari 488 on an Italian racing track.
3.24 km

In the heart of Milan - Golf travel package

  • Golf
In the heart of Milan - Golf travel package
3.3 km

Where to sleep

TICINESE COZY APARTMENT 1

Milano
TICINESE COZY APARTMENT 1
52 mt

TICINESE COZY APARTMENT 3

Milano
TICINESE COZY APARTMENT 3
52 mt

TICINESE COZY APARTMENT 2

Milano
TICINESE COZY APARTMENT 2
52 mt

Flexyrent Maggio

MILANO
Flexyrent Maggio
78 mt

VENTIQUATTRO MAGGIO 4 SUB 710

Milano
VENTIQUATTRO MAGGIO 4 SUB 710
78 mt

Ventiquattro Maggio sub 42

Milano
Ventiquattro Maggio sub 42
78 mt

Ventiquattro Maggio sub 41

Milano
Ventiquattro Maggio sub 41
78 mt

AETHOS MILAN

Milano
AETHOS MILAN
84 mt

Casa Chiara

Milano
Casa Chiara
88 mt

CORSO MANUSARDI 3_SUB 702

MILANO
CORSO MANUSARDI 3_SUB 702
88 mt

DIPENDENZA AETHOS MILAN

Milano
DIPENDENZA AETHOS MILAN
95 mt

LOCAZIONE TURISTICA XXIV MAGGIO SUB. 720

MILANO
LOCAZIONE TURISTICA XXIV MAGGIO SUB. 720
106 mt

GUEST HOUSE 53

MILANO
GUEST HOUSE 53
106 mt

Guest House 7 (XXIV Maggio 10 sub 705)

Milano
Guest House 7 (XXIV Maggio 10 sub 705)
106 mt

De Rosa XXIV Maggio

Milano
De Rosa XXIV Maggio
106 mt

GUEST HOUSE 91

Milano
GUEST HOUSE 91
106 mt

OMODEO FRASCHE

Milano
OMODEO FRASCHE
112 mt

CV Trincea delle Frasche

Milano
CV Trincea delle Frasche
112 mt

Milano Navigli

Milano
Milano Navigli
113 mt

VICOLO CALUSCA 1_SUB 2

Milano
VICOLO CALUSCA 1_SUB 2
118 mt