The 10 open-air masterpieces in Milano

Piazza Affari

L.O.V.E., better known in Milano as "the Finger", is a sculpture by the famous Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. His large-scale work stands boldly in the centre of Piazza degli Affari, in front of Palazzo Mezzanotte home of the Milanese stock exchange, as a symbol of protest. The name is an acronym for Libertà, Odio, Vendetta, Eternità (Freedom, Hate, Revenge, Eternity).

Piazza Sempione

It’s hard to miss the majestic Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) standing at the far end of Parco Sempione, creating a place where young people like to hangout in the long summer evenings and socialise with friends.

It was constructed in 1806 to celebrate the marriage of Eugene de Beauharnais - viceroy of Italy and adopted son of Napoleon - with Princess Augusta of Bavaria, to mark the beginning of the road that led to Paris.

Giardino della Triennale Milano, viale Alemagna

Giorgio de Chirico’s Metaphysical artwork Bagni Misteriosi (Mysterious Baths) was initially created in 1973 for the fountain in the garden of the Palazzo dell'Arte in Parco Sempione and is now permanently exhibited in the Triennale Garden.

Piazzale Luigi Cadorna

Ago, filo e nodo (Needle, thread and knot) is a sculpture by the famous American Pop artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. This striking and colourful artwork is located in Piazzale Cadorna, a crucial point of the Milanese transport hub, and represents the Milanese characteristic industriousness and dedication to work.

Via Demetrio Stratos

ArtLine Milano is an open-air civic art project set within the public park in City Life - the metropolis’ new district where the 3 skyscrapers by the archistars Zaha Hadid, Daniel Libeskind and Arata Isozaki tower over the skyline. ArtLine is an open-air cultural itinerary exhibiting over twenty permanent works by artists under 40.

Piazza Meda

Disco Solare or Disco Grande is a shimmering bronze sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro from 1980, currently located in Milano in Piazza Meda. The striking Solar Disc plays with the dynamic contrast of the smooth golden exteriors with their curved and rigid straight lines and the multitude of numerous geometric shapes fused together to create rougher, darker interiors.

Ippodromo di Milano, Piazzale dello sport 16

Leonardo's Horse is part of an equestrian monument to Francesco Sforza and was designed by Leonardo da Vinci in 1482. Leonardo’s original sculpture was never completed, however, thanks to the great master’s detailed drawings the Horse was replicated by the artist Nina Akamu and is now exhibited at the Hippodrome.

Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale

Milano’s Cimitero Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery) is one of the most beautiful and grandiose areas in the city, both a necropolis and an open-air sculpture museum. A forest of spires and an oasis of peace, surrounded by greenery and devoid of the city’s chaotic noise.

Via Marcello Malpighi, 3

Designed by the architect Giovanni Bossi, between 1903 and 1905, Casa Galimberti in Via Malpighi (Porta Venezia area) is considered one of the most beautiful buildings of the famous Milanese Liberty or Art Nouveau period. Most of the edifice’s external facade is adorned with beautiful majolica tiles, braided wrought iron and concrete floral motifs.

Idroscalo, Via Circonvallazione, 29

The Museo Giovani Artisti (Young Artists Museum) at the Idroscalo exhibits sculptures and contemporary environmental art in an open-air public space. The innovative Museum is the brainchild of collaboration between the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, the Friends of the Academy of Brera Association and the Idroscalo.