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From Milano to Lodi by bicycle
A journey on two wheels through the abbeys and castles of the Lombard countryside
A bike ride is the best way to discover Milano’s surroundings, and Lodi, 40 kilometers south of the city, is the ideal destination for a two-wheel itinerary across flat agricultural land which can be done by nearly anybody. In fact, you can pedal on bike paths and secondary roads surrounded by greenery to reach Lodi, a notable Medieval city of art and culture, by flanking the Lambro river and stopping in places steeped in art and history.
Get on the saddle and enjoy a slow-paced out-of-city escapade, discovering magnificent Cistercensian abbeys and luscious nature along the way.
Porta Romana district: our journey towards Lodi starts here. Pedal on the bike route of the Vettabbia Park to arrive at Chiaravalle Abbey, one of the most important Italian monastic complexes, which can be visited with guided tours. The still-operating old mill, the peace of the agricultural park and the silence of the cloisters take you back to a Medieval past.
Your journey back in time continues at the Medicean Castle of Melegnano, a few kilometers further on. Leave your bike for a moment and take a break, before starting to pedal along the Lambro river: it is worth visiting the interior of the manor and discovering, through the numerous frescoes that embellish the rooms, the exploits of its ancient owner, Marquis Gian Giacomo Medici.
Once in Salerano sul Lambro, you leave the river behind and reach Lodi Vecchio. Set between fields and farmhouses, an obligatory stop is the Basilica of San Bassiano.
Lodi, a city of art in the heart of the lower Po Valley, is the well-deserved finale of day-trip on bike from Milano heading south. Start your visit to the city from Piazza della Vittoria, one of Italy’s most beautiful, and one of the few in the world with porticoes running on all four sides. The stunning medieval Cathedral overlooks the square, while, not far away, you can visit a jewel of the Lombard Renaissance, Tempio dell’Incoronata. Splendid frescoes by Bergognone and gilding finishes decorate the interior, while the octagonal plan of the building recalls the famous style of Bramante. Elegant Art Nouveau buildings adorn the streets of the city center, as well as the modern and futuristic headquarters of Banca Popolare designed by Renzo Piano.
Bonus stage! If you still have the energy to cycle, the Cerreto Abbey, a Cistercian monastery in the middle of the countryside, can be easily reached by pedaling along the Adda river: the effort is rewarded by a meal or an aperitivo at the local osteria.
But all of Lodi and its environs are bike-friendly and there are many are the itineraries that can be explored at a slow pace to enjoy nature, admire other art treasures and taste the typical gastronomy of the area, Grana Padano DOP above all. Discover other bicycle itineraries between Milano and Lodi on Koomut.
It is impossible to arrive in Lodi and not be won over by the great cuisine and excellent gastronomic products coming from the surrounding agricultural area. There are two unmissable opportunities to taste the delicacies made in Lodi and meet local producers: Le Forme del Gusto festival in September and the Lodi Gastronomic Review (Rassegna Gastronomica Lodigiana) between October and December.
Not to be missed in the good season is Il Lodigiano e i suoi tesori, an exhibit showing the cultural, artistic, and natural heritage of the area around the city which takes place every year from May to July. Discover the calendar of 2024 events here (in Italian only).
Finally the Lodi Festival of Ethical Photography, held between September and October, has become a regular rendezvous for international photography enthusiasts and practitioners: exhibitions, screenings and talks bring the public closer to the strong themes and poignant stories behind the pictures.
If, on the other hand, you want to return to Milano with no sweat, you can load your bike on a Trenord/Passante train and reach the Central Station, or another Milanese station (S1 Lodi-Saronno suburban train), in less than half an hour.
