• Art & Culture

Milan in the 1920s: Déco and tradition

An Art Deco itinerary in Milan is perfect to see masterpieces of the greatest protagonists of Italian architecture of the time.

The new taste was born as a reaction and at the same time an ideal continuation of Liberty: the shapes became geometric and symmetrical, in a spirit of rationality that does not however lose the taste for decoration and elegance. Furthermore, Italian Déco is inspired by the classical heritage: the antique is rendered with impressive, solid, and essential volumes.

An early Déco example is the building by Giovanni Muzio from 1919-1922 at the corner between via Turati and via Moscova, so disruptive in its diversity from traditional architecture that it earned the unkind nickname "Cà Brutta", “Ugly House”. The two buildings, of which the one on the corner has a large, curved mass, are divided by a private street, the access to which is marked by a large triumphal arch that recalls the Renaissance Serlian window.

Triumphal access to the city, the Central Station was designed by Ulisse Stacchini in 1912, but because of the First World War it was not built until 1925; the project was reworked to respond to the propaganda of the fascist regime. The gigantic proportions and the eclectic decoration of the facade, 200 meters wide, stand out. From the carriage gallery, elegantly decorated with friezes, you can access the platform level through the grand staircase, monumental, but unfortunately very uncomfortable. The tracks are covered with majestic iron and glass vaults.

Professor of Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, Piero Portaluppi in the 1920s was active on various projects. The building of the Buonarroti-Carpaccio-Giotto company in Corso Venezia dates to 1926-1930, characterized by a gigantic arch, access to the via Salvini. In the under-arch we identify one of the constant stylistic figures in the Portaluppian language: the diamond-shaped decorative motif.

In 1929 Ulrico Hoepli decided to donate a planetarium to the city of Milan, to be placed at the entrance to the Public Gardens. Portaluppi creates a neoclassical building, inspired by the Roman Pantheon, and embellished with star decorations.

The project for Casa Radici-Di Stefano in the via Jan dates to the same year, characterized by the projecting bow window lounges, to enliven the corner with via Aldovrandi. On the second floor is now the Boschi-Di Stefano House Museum, in the apartment where the spouses Antonio and Marieda lived and collected art. 

We cannot finish a journey in the 1920s without mentioning Aldo Andreani, his whimsical Palazzo Fidia, an assembly of the most disparate shapes, models and colors, and the Sola-Busca palace in via Serbelloni 10, called “Cà de d’Orègia”, House of the Ear: the curious intercom, sculpture by Adolfo Wildt, is in fact… a real ear!

-

Ph visore: Urbanfile

Text by FIAMMA BOZZOLOConfGuide-GITEC 

CLICK HERE to discover her other itinerary proposals.

On the same topic

Sondrio, the legend of Orlando

Castel Masegra is an imposing building which sits atop a 60m-tall rock, dominating the Sondrio skyline
  • Art & Culture
Sondrio Castello Masegra

The mantuan locations in Rigoletto

Between reality and fantasy, a musical itinerary retraces the locations of Verdi's opera set in Mantua in the sixteenth century
  • Art & Culture
The mantuan locations in Rigoletto

Pezzotti from Valtellina

Perhaps the most famous artisan product from Valtellina, the “pezzotto” is a very resistant fabric made using scraps of fabric, hand-woven at the loom.
  • Art & Culture
Pezzotti from Valtellina

OPEN WINDOWS

A new project by the Association Tapirulan
  • Art & Culture
OPEN WINDOWS

Brescia in a weekend

From the Roman Brixia to the Opera Festival. Discover Brescia in 48 hours. A journey through time, between culture, passion and nightlife
  • Art & Culture
Brescia in a weekend

The Winter Songs

The legend of the coldest days in the year
  • Art & Culture
The Winter Songs

10 good reasons to visit Como

  • Art & Culture
10 good reasons to visit Como

Mantua, Festival City

Mantua is a living city 365 days a year. Thanks to international festivals. Starting from the prestigious Festivaletteratura
  • Art & Culture
Mantua, Festival City

Welcome to Cremona!

Cremona is for everyone
  • Art & Culture
Welcome to Cremona!

Arlecchino and Brighella

Famous masks of the Italian Carnival tradition
  • Art & Culture
Arlecchino_11403_HR©Ciminaghi-PiccoloTeatroMilano

Milan, following Leonardo’s footsteps

Pictorial suggestions and drawings. Machines and impressive hydraulic engineering works. In Milan, a journey in the wake of Leonardo
  • Art & Culture
Milan, following Leonardo’s footsteps

Insider Mantua

  • Art & Culture
Insider Mantua

What to Do in Mantua and surroundings

Discovering the wonders of Mantua and surroundings
  • Art & Culture
What to do in Mantua

Visits to the violin-making workshops

An unique and unforgettable experience
  • Art & Culture
Visits to the violin-making workshops

Cremona drone effect

Booked a weekend in Cremona? Then you can’t afford to miss piazza del Comune, the stunning heart of the city’s historic centre.
  • Art & Culture
Cremona vista dall'alto

Autumn Events 2025

  • Art & Culture
Autumn Events 2025

House Museums of Lombardy: step inside the homes of renowned historical figures

Discover the history and culture of the Region of Lombardy through its historic house museums, from the homes of famous people and art collectors to artists' studios.
  • Art & Culture
Case Museo in Lombardia - Villa Manzoni, Lecco

Museums Lecco

Known above all for 'I Promessi Sposi' by Manzoni, Lecco is also rich in history and culture to be discovered in the Civic Museums
  • Art & Culture
Museums Lecco, exploring Lombardy

Theaters Brescia

Brescia will surprise you with the vitality of its theaters, where are staged prose, ballets and concerts
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Brescia, culture in Lombardy

School trips

Cremona is the ideal destination for your school trip
  • Art & Culture
School trips