Giardini Indro Montanelli is a historic public garden in Milan’s Porta Venezia area, with entrances including Via Palestro. Its tree-lined paths, flowerbeds, lawns and statues make it a welcome place to pause between city sights. The gardens also contain the Natural History Museum and the Ulrico Hoepli Planetarium, so you can pair a walk with a museum or science visit. Families will find playgrounds and seasonal rides, including a miniature train.
A public garden shaped over time
The gardens were laid out between 1782 and 1786 on the site of two monasteries. Giuseppe Piermarini designed the original grounds in a formal French style, with geometric flowerbeds. In 1862, Giuseppe Balzaretto expanded and redesigned the park in the English landscape style, adding winding paths and artificial ponds.
The gardens have long been known simply as Milan’s public gardens. In 2002, they were renamed for Indro Montanelli, a Milanese journalist and historian. Statues across the grounds commemorate notable figures, including Montanelli himself.
Museums and historic buildings
The Natural History Museum opened in the gardens in the late 19th century, between 1888 and 1893. Its collections include exhibits about animals from around the world. The Ulrico Hoepli Planetarium followed in 1930, giving the gardens a second destination for science-minded visitors.
Palazzo Dugnani, a 17th-century palace, stands at the edge of the park. The area around the palace has a water basin and fountain. Together, the palace and the gardens’ statues offer a glimpse of the site’s architectural and civic history alongside its green spaces.
Paths, lawns and family activities
Wide walkways pass beneath mature trees and connect lawns, flowerbeds and quieter corners. Benches and drinking fountains provide places to pause during a walk. The grounds are large enough to find a calmer stretch even when children are playing nearby.
Families can use the playgrounds and, depending on what is operating during their visit, find rides such as a miniature train and pony rides. The gardens have also had kiosks and bars. For a simple break, bring food for a picnic and choose a spot on the grass.
Perguntas frequentes
Is there an entry fee for Giardini Indro Montanelli?
The gardens are free to enter. The Natural History Museum and planetarium are separate attractions.
What can you see inside the gardens?
The gardens contain the Natural History Museum, the Ulrico Hoepli Planetarium, statues and the 17th-century Palazzo Dugnani at the park’s edge.
Are Giardini Indro Montanelli suitable for children?
Yes. There are playgrounds, and family activities include rides such as a miniature train and pony rides.
When is a good time to visit?
Early morning is a good time for a quieter walk or run.
