SHARRYLAND
Robecco sul Naviglio and its villas of delight
Along the Naviglio Grande for vacationing, in the footsteps of Milanese nobility
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Holidaying along the Naviglio Grande
When families of the Milanese nobility wanted to go on vacation, they followed the course of the Naviglio Grande to the countryside. So towns like Robecco sul Naviglio and Cassinetta di Lugagnano today combine the beauty of elegant villas with gardens with glimpses of the original village. All along the waters of the Naviglio.
Why it's special: the villas of Robecco sul Naviglio.
In Robecco it is Palazzo Archinto that is striking at first sight. It is called "the Castle" because of its crenellated towers but actually dates back to the seventeenth to eighteenth centuries. It houses, in addition to the Library, an exhibition dedicated to the Naviglio Grande. Opposite is the 19th-century Steps Bridge from which there is a romantic view of the canal. Just beyond is Villa Gaia, the villa of Lodovico il Moro, Duke of Milan. Large parties were held there, hence the name Gaia. But it is worth going further into the village in search of other picturesque views, or other villas, such as the 19th-century Villa Scotti, where the Town Hall is located.
Don't miss: a walk to Cassinetta di Lugnano.
If you have time, don't miss the short walk along the towpath of the Naviglio that leads to Cassinetta di Lugugnano. It is another delightful hamlet a little more than two kilometers away in the middle of nature, among elder and locust trees, with beautiful views of the countryside and old farmhouses. In Cassinetta you will find the 18th-century Villa Castiglioni Bossi, Villa Cattaneo Krentzlin, and finally the grandiose Villa Visconti Maineri of neoclassical appearance, with a beautiful garden.
A bit of history
Of Roman origin, the village of Robecco gained importance with the construction of the Naviglio Grande canal at the end of the 12th century.Its heyday came between the 16th and 18th centuries, when it was chosen as a country residence by many Milanese noble families. The seasonal travel of the nobles and the wealthy bourgeoisie who imitated them was a real move. One would flee the miasmas of the city to seek clean air and refreshment and stay away for three or four months. One would move by carriage or boat along the canal.
Fun fact: What was the villeggiatura like?
In vacationing it was essential
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