• 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
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

Leonardo’s Vineyard

Leonardo's Vineyard is located in Milan, in front of the Santa Maria delle Grazie church; it was given to Leonardo by Ludovico il Moro
  • Art & Culture
Vigna di Leonardo, Musei Milano
452 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

Brera Botanical Gardens

A romantic green oasis in the center of Milan. The flower beds are home to some of the richest collections of species in our flora
  • Active & Green
Brera Botanical Gardens
965 mt

Events

Affetti instabili

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

Xverso

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

Divorzio all'italiana

Teatro De Andrè
Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci, 23826, Mandello Del Lario (LC)
25/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
Divorzio all'italiana
4.04 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
4.04 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
4.04 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!
4.04 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
4.04 km

Khorakandré

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

Pigiama per sei

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
13/02/2025
  • Art & Culture
Pigiama per sei
4.04 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
4.04 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
4.04 km

Pignasecca e Pignaverde

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

Fiori d'acciaio

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
04/04/2025
  • Art & Culture
Fiori d'acciaio
4.04 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
4.04 km

Activities

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

  • Art & Culture
Leonardo da Vinci in Milan
377 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

Milan - Franciacorta

  • Golf
Milan - Franciacorta
685 mt

Guided tour of Classic Milan

  • Art & Culture
Guided tour of Classic Milan
1.09 km

Longboard course for beginners

  • Active & Green
Longboard course for beginners
1.15 km

Licensed tour, hiking and experiential Guides in Lombardia

  • Active & Green
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

Fashion and Food in Milan

  • Food & Wine
Fashion and Food in Milan
1.66 km

On the Navigli between courtyards and old-fashioned houses

  • Art & Culture
On the Navigli between courtyards and old-fashioned houses
1.78 km

Guided tour by boat on the Navigli of Milan

  • Art & Culture
Guided tour by boat on the Navigli of Milan
1.79 km

Cimitero Monumentale in Milan, a real open-air museum

  • Art & Culture
Cimitero Monumentale in Milan, a real open-air museum
1.93 km

In the heart of Milan - Golf travel package

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

Racing course with Formula BMW on an Italian racing track.

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

Test Drive a Ferrari 458 on an Italian racing track.

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

Where to sleep

Hintown Apartments Milano Foro Bonaparte 51 B

Milano
Hintown Apartments Milano Foro Bonaparte 51 B
67 mt

Hintown Apartments Milano Foro Bonaparte 51 A

Milano
Hintown Apartments Milano Foro Bonaparte 51 A
67 mt

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

Soma Cadorna sub 720

Milano
Soma Cadorna sub 720
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

PIAZZALE CADORNA SUB. 707

MILANO
PIAZZALE CADORNA SUB. 707
84 mt

Piazzale Cadorna 9 Sub 708

MILANO
Piazzale Cadorna 9 Sub 708
84 mt

Piazzale Cadorna 9 sub 706

MILANO
Piazzale Cadorna 9 sub 706
84 mt

Piazzale Cadorna 9 sub 703

MILANO
Piazzale Cadorna 9 sub 703
84 mt

Piazzale Cadorna 9 sub 705

MILANO
Piazzale Cadorna 9 sub 705
84 mt

Charming Apartment The Castle

Milano
Charming Apartment The Castle
84 mt