• Art & Culture

Needle, Thread, and Knot

A symbol of the city, in Piazza Cadorna. The sculpture all about Milan, by pop art masters, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen

Where
P.zza Cadorna, Milano

Piazza Cadorna is a complex setting. It is a thoroughfare, a place of connection, crossed by lines for almost all of Milan’s public transport: tram, metro, bus and train. When, at the end of the 1990s, famous architect Gae Aulenti found herself remodelling the area, as well as introducing different elements to add a sense to the movement of passers-by, she commissioned two pioneers of pop art to create a piece that could be integrated into the area’s new look.

 

Claes Olndenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, husband and wife team, created a sketch the very same night, designing one of Milan’s fountains and sculptures that best reflect the city. An enormous needle, 18 metres high, stuck into the ground, along with a brightly coloured thread, twisted around its eye. A little further on, a pool of water emerges from the ground, woven into a knot. It was the aim of the artists to symbolically connect the two parts, as if they were stitching together the city, passing underground, like a train entering an underground tunnel. Although it has many different meanings, the first - instinctive - one connected to the piece is linked to transport and the speed of the city, due to this wish for connection, starting at the bottom, like the metropolitan railway and also its colours - red, yellow and green - representing the three lines that were open at the time, M1, M2 and M3. That is not all: there is also an obvious reference to the world of fashion, of which Milan is home in Italy and in the rest of the world, and thanks to its sinuous shapes, to the Visconti snake, which is part of the emblem of the city. Today, it is an icon that is closely connected to Piazza Cadorna, thanks to which a difficult place of passage was able to take on a colourful identity.

Take me here: Needle, Thread, and Knot

Places

Needle, Thread and Knot

  • Art & Culture
Needle, Thread and Knot in Piazzale Cadorna
34 mt

The Catalpa of the Sforza Castle

  • Active & Green
The Catalpa of the Sforza Castle
130 mt

The Caucasian Walnut of Parco Sempione

  • Active & Green
The Caucasian Walnut of Parco Sempione
130 mt

Sforza Castle

Social life in Milan has always revolved around the Sforza Castle, a symbol of the city’s renowned industriousness and its love of beauty
  • Art & Culture
Castello Sforzesco, Milano - @inLombardia
135 mt

Church of San Maurizio

In the heart of Milan, is defined the Sistine Chapel of Lombardy. Completely frescoed leaves you breathless
  • Religious Tourism
Church of San Maurizio
335 mt

Shrine of St. Mary of the Miracles near San Celso

  • Religious Tourism
Shrine of St. Mary of the Miracles near San Celso
413 mt

Canals and farmsteads in the South Milan Agricultural Park

  • Cycle Tourism
Gaggiano
413 mt

Sempione Park

  • Active & Green
Sempione Park
478 mt

Triennale

  • Art & Culture
@inlombardia - Triennale di Milano
515 mt

The Last Supper

The Last Supper is the masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci. A Unesco Heritage site along the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan
  • Unesco Sites
The Last Supper
549 mt

Santa Maria delle Grazie

An impressive piece of architecture in the heart of Milan, inextricably linked to the fresco by Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper
  • Unesco Sites
Santa Maria delle Grazie, inspiring churches in Lombardy
566 mt

Roman Theatre of Milan

Discover the Roman Theatre of Milan
  • Art & Culture
Roman Theatre of Milan
570 mt

Piccolo Teatro

"An Arts Theatre for Everyone" since 1947.
  • Art & Culture
Piccolo Teatro
655 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
672 mt

Basilica di San Simpliciano

  • Religious Tourism
Basilica di San Simpliciano, Churches of Milan
815 mt

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
866 mt

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
868 mt

Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci

  • Art & Culture
Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci
897 mt

Arco della Pace

Numerous architectural symbols of Milan. The imposing arch that stands out in the middle of Corso Sempione is one of these
  • Art & Culture
Arco della Pace, the Arch of Peace
899 mt

Brera Picture Gallery

  • Art & Culture
Brera Picture Gallery
935 mt

Events

Estate al Castello 2025

Castello Sforzesco
Piazza Castello, Milano
10/06/2025 - 11/09/2025
  • Art & Culture
Castello Sforzesco, Milano - Ph. in-Lombardia
133 mt

Milan Green Week

Sedi varie
Milano
18/09/2025 - 21/09/2025
  • Top Events
@inlombardia
413 mt

Milan Beauty Week

Sedi varie
Milano
17/09/2025 - 21/09/2025
  • Lifestyle
@inLombardia_adobestock
413 mt

M'Incanto Festival

Milano
09/07/2025 - 25/10/2025
  • Art & Culture
M'Incanto Festival
413 mt

24th International Exhibition. Inequalities at Triennale Milano

Triennale di Milano
Viale Alemagna, 6, Milano
13/05/2025 - 09/11/2025
  • Art & Culture
Triennale di Milano - @inLombardia
533 mt

Last Judgment Exhibition

Fabbrica del Vapore
Via Giulio Cesare Procaccini, 4
27/06/2025 - 18/09/2025
  • Art & Culture
@fabiofantini
1.84 km

Lomellina Express

Sagra dell'Oca e Palio di Mortara
Stazione Milano Centrale
28/09/2025
  • Active & Green
Lomellina Express
2.85 km

The world of Banksy: the immersive experience

Spazio Varesina
Via Varesina, 204, Milano
21/03/2025 - 02/11/2025
  • Art & Culture
The world of Banksy: the immersive experience
5.17 km

LE MISTICHE

Musei Civici, via Teodolinda 4
19/06/2025 - 13/11/2025
  • Art & Culture
le mistiche
14.8 km

The city, the park and the racetrack

Galleria Civica
Via Camperio, 1
06/09/2025 - 14/09/2025
  • Art & Culture
monza città parco autodromo 2025
14.8 km

SPETTACOLI AI MUSEI CIVICI

Musei Civici, via Regina Teodolinda 4
19/06/2025 - 30/09/2025
  • Art & Culture
spettacoli ai musei civici
14.81 km

MUSEO@FAMILY

Musei Civici, via Regina Teodolinda 4
12/01/2025 - 31/12/2025
  • Art & Culture
locandina family lab
14.81 km

CONFERENZE AI MUSEI CIVICI

Musei Civici via Regina Teodolinda, 4
07/05/2025 - 31/12/2025
  • Art & Culture
100 anni di design
14.81 km

Monza Fuori GP: Sports, Energy and Involvement

Centro Storico Piazza Trento e Trieste, Monza
04/09/2025 - 07/09/2025
  • Top Events
Monza Fuori GP: Sports, Energy and Involvement
14.85 km

FREE GUIDED TOURS - MONZA FUORIGP 2025

05/09/2025 - 07/09/2025
  • Art & Culture
Monza
14.87 km

Formula 1 Gran Premio d'Italia 2025

Via Vedano, 5, Monza
05/09/2025 - 07/09/2025
  • Lifestyle
F1 2025 Monza Autodromo
14.87 km

L'ESTATE BRILLA

Vari luoghi
03/07/2025 - 25/09/2025
  • Music and show
estate brilla
14.87 km

Clone of Clone of MONZA FUORIGP 2024

Piazza Trento e Trieste
04/09/2025 - 07/09/2025
  • Music and show
MONZA FUORI GP 2024
14.88 km

IL RITORNO DI ESTORRE

Museo e Tesoro del Duomo, Via Lambro 2
15/07/2025 - 14/09/2025
  • Art & Culture
Stemma
14.96 km

Activities

Castello Sforzesco of Milan – The life at Court

  • Art & Culture
Castello Sforzesco of Milan – The life at Court
250 mt

San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, a very precious jewel

  • Art & Culture
San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, a very precious jewel
327 mt

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

  • Art & Culture
On the vintage tram in Milan, in the 1920’s atmosphere
336 mt

Leonardo da Vinci in Milan

  • Leonardo
Leonardo da Vinci in Milan
377 mt

Leonardo Pass limited Edition

  • Leonardo
Leonardo Pass limited Edition
413 mt

YesMilano City Pass Flash 24 ore

  • Lifestyle
YesMilano City Pass Flash 24 ore
413 mt

YesMilano City Pass All Inclusive 3 giorni

  • Lifestyle
YesMilano City Pass All Inclusive 3 giorni
413 mt

YesMilano City Pass Standard

  • Lifestyle
YesMilano City Pass Standard
413 mt

Golf, Relax and Wine in Lombardy

  • Golf
Golf, Relax and Wine in Lombardy
413 mt

The heart of Milan

  • Art & Culture
The heart of Milan
426 mt

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

  • Art & Culture
Aperitif on the Torre Branca, in the center of Parco Sempione
521 mt

Guided tour of the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio

  • Art & Culture
Guided tour of the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio
542 mt

Milan - Franciacorta

  • Golf
Milan - Franciacorta
685 mt

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, a tour to the masterpieces of Art

  • Art & Culture
The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana,  a tour to the masterpieces of Art
841 mt

Longboard course for beginners

  • Active & Green
Longboard course for beginners
1.15 km

Licensed tour, hiking and experiential Guides in Lombardia

  • Art & Culture
Licensed tour, hiking and experiential Guides in Lombardia
1.17 km

Private Tour discover Milan Highlights

  • Art & Culture
Private Tour discover Milan Highlights
1.17 km

Private walking tour Milan the city of fashion

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

The Underground Milan – The hidden archaeological areas

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

The Rooftop of the Duomo

  • Art & Culture
The Rooftop of the Duomo
1.42 km

Where to sleep

BDB PREMIUM HOSTING CADORNA 10_SUB 754

MILANO
BDB PREMIUM HOSTING CADORNA 10_SUB 754
71 mt

CADORNA 10 SUB 755

MILANO
CADORNA 10 SUB 755
71 mt

PIAZZALE LUIGI CADORNA 10_SUB 739

Milano
PIAZZALE  LUIGI CADORNA 10_SUB 739
71 mt

Milan Retreats Cadorna 10 sub 751

Milano
Milan Retreats Cadorna 10 sub 751
71 mt

Milan Retreats Cadorna 10 sub 728

Milano
Milan Retreats Cadorna 10 sub 728
71 mt

Milan Retreats Cadorna 10 sub 749

Milano
Milan Retreats Cadorna 10 sub 749
71 mt

Milan Retreats Cadorna 10 sub 726

Milano
Milan Retreats Cadorna 10 sub 726
71 mt

Milan Reterats Piazzale Cadorna 10 Sub 750

Milano
Milan Reterats Piazzale Cadorna 10 Sub 750
71 mt

Milan Retreats Cadorna sub 729

Milano
Milan Retreats Cadorna sub 729
71 mt

Milan Retreats Cadorna sub 727

Milano
Milan Retreats Cadorna sub 727
71 mt

Carducci 2

Milano
Carducci 2
75 mt

BDB Premium Hosting Piazzale Cadorna 10 sub741

MILANO
BDB Premium Hosting Piazzale Cadorna 10 sub741
88 mt

MILAN ROYAL SUITES MOZART 2 SUB. 748

Milano
MILAN ROYAL SUITES MOZART 2 SUB. 748
154 mt

ALMAGE - VIA NICOLAO 4 SUB. 710

MILANO
ALMAGE - VIA NICOLAO 4 SUB. 710
209 mt

Nicolao 4 sub 711

MILANO
Nicolao 4 sub 711
209 mt

ZETA HOLDING VIA BOCCACCIO 4 SUB 146

MILANO
ZETA HOLDING VIA BOCCACCIO 4 SUB 146
228 mt

CLH MILANO_VIA LEOPARDI 14

MILANO
CLH MILANO_VIA LEOPARDI 14
229 mt

CADORNA LUXURY HOTEL

Milano
CADORNA LUXURY HOTEL
229 mt

CASTELLO SUITES

MILANO
CASTELLO SUITES
230 mt

THE COUPER CASTELLO AMMEZZATO sub 739

MILANO
THE COUPER CASTELLO AMMEZZATO sub 739
230 mt