The so-called Quadrilatero della Moda district (formed by Via Monte Napoleone, Via Alessandro Manzoni, Via della Spiga, and Corso Venezia) isn't the only "quadrangle" in Milan. There's another that's equally charming, although infinitely less well-known to tourists. Known as the Quadrilatero del Silenzio, this jewel is framed by the opulent streets of Via Serbelloni, Via Mozart, Via Cappuccini, and Via Vivaio
Features eccentric statues, hidden mosaics, secret gardens, and above all, an atmosphere suspended in time. Flamingos, gargoyles, and Art Nouveau residences alternate with poetic vistas, reflecting the presence of the great historical and literary figures who contributed to the charm of this neighborhood, such as Giuseppe Parini, Alessandro Manzoni, and Stendhal.
Built under the Habsburg Empire, the quadrangle was gentrified during the 19th and 20th centuries, when it became the residence of the city's wealthiest families. Chic, snobbish, and incredibly Milanese, it is still surprisingly off the beaten path of the more touristy itineraries.
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Villa Necchi Campiglio and Milan's first private pool
Via Mozart, 14
Designed by Piero Portaluppi in the 1930s, it not only represents the pinnacle of rationalist elegance but also boasts a record that sets it apart: it's home to the first private pool in Milan. A symbol of modernity, it blends seamlessly into the garden, reflecting the Necchi Campiglio family's eye for luxury and innovation. Designed for relaxation and entertainment, the pool was equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as heating with a special coil and an automatic water exchange, which made it a true engineering masterpiece.
Situated in a lush garden, the pool became a place for leisure and wellness, nestled amongst a wealth of greenery, rare for the Milanese urban landscape of the time.
Today, Villa Necchi Campiglio is under the management of the Italian Environmental Fund (FAI) and can be visited from Wednesday to Sunday.
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The flamingos of Villa Invernizzi
Via Cappuccini, 7
In the heart of the "quadrangle of silence" in Milan, along the quiet Via Cappuccini, lies a truly unique spot: the gardens of Villa Invernizzi — home of the famous cheese maker Romeo Invernizzi — are home to a colony of thirteen flamingos. Imported from Africa and South America in the 1970s, these gorgeous pink birds move placidly among fountains and bushes, lending a touch of the unexpected to the city's monochromatic grayness. Unable to fly due to the removal of their flight feathers, the flamingos live in captivity but in a space designed with great care.
Villa Invernizzi was transformed into an oasis for these animals thanks to the nature-loving passion of Cavalier Invernizzi, who demolished an adjacent building to expand the garden and create a suitable environment. After his death in 2004, the colony was protected as part of his last will and testament. Though not open to the public, the villa continues to be a source of curiosity for tourists and residents alike, who peek into the tranquil abode through the iron gratings of its windows. In winter, the flamingos enjoy heated ponds and ad hoc shelters, looked after by a caretaker who ensures their well-being.
This special urban oasis acts as a reminder of a time when the importation of exotic species was allowed, and that their survival is now safeguarded by international laws that prohibit the capture and trade of these creatures. The flamingos of Villa Invernizzi have become a symbol of a luxurious and bizarre past, exiled to an Art Nouveau garden that, amidst magnolias and roses, remains an oasis of exotic life in the concrete heart of Milan.
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The "wishing ear" of Palazzo Sola-Busca
via Serbelloni 10
It is one of the city's most curious sculptures. Created by Adolfo Wildt in 1930, it is a large bronze ear mounted next to the building's entrance, a surprising bit of decoration that was originally used as an intercom. Jutting out from the façade of Palazzo Sola-Busca, the ear is also the source of the building's nickname, dubbed "Ca’ de l 'Oreggia" by the residents of Milan, which in dialect means "the ear house". This bronze sculpture has acquired quite a unique reputation: passersby whisper their wishes into the ear in the hope that they will come true.
Winged Victory, but only for residents
Via Cappuccini 8
The imposing Palazzo Berri Meregalli is a masterpiece of Milanese eclectic architecture, combining Romanesque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau elements in a riot of styles. The corner facade is particularly quaint and beloved by locals, but the building's most fascinating element can only be enjoyed by a select few, as it is located inside its entrance hall. It is the Winged Victory, a gilded marble sculpture that the artist Adolfo Wildt (1868-1931) designed and sculpted between 1918 and 1919 to celebrate the end of the First World War.
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Villa Zanoletti, the first Vertical Forest
Via Mozart, 9
Also known as Villa Mozart, it is one of Milan's hidden gems and some consider it to be the true Vertical Forest of Milan. An Art Deco masterpiece that recalls the fabulous 1920s and 1930s, it is entirely covered in ivy.
Located behind the Palestro Gardens, just across from Villa Necchi Campiglio, this villa was built in 1926 by the architect Aldo Andreani and was once the home of the famous Serbelloni family and the headquarters of the Rotary Club of Milan until 1996.
The real jewel of the villa? Its internal garden, which is still privately owned to this day.