No queues, no tickets, but just the sun and sky in place of lights and backdrops. Does this sound unreal? Well, it is not, and that is why we have put together for you an itinerary allowing for the discovery of 10 (plus one) not-to-be-missed outdoor masterpieces.

1 - L.O.V.E. in Piazza Affari

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 at the centre of Piazza degli Affari as a symbol of protest, right in front of Palazzo Mezzanotte, home to the Milanese stock exchange. The name is an acronym for Libertà, Odio, Vendetta, Eternità (Freedom, Hate, Revenge, Eternity).

 

How to get there: underground line M1 red, stop Cordusio; tram 16, 19

2 - Arco della Pace

Arco della Pace

Piazza Sempione

 

It is 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 hang out 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.

 

How to get there: tram 1

3 - Castello Sforzesco courtyards

Piazza Castello

 

At the other side of Parco Sempione stands the magnificent Castello Sforzesco where the narrative of Milano continues even en plein air. The castle’s outdoor spaces are open to all, and a surprising number of historical relics can be admired in the Cortile delle Armi, Cortile della Rocchetta and in the Corte Ducale: fragments of statues, architectural remnants of a by-gone age, archaeological artefacts, friezes, coats of arms and tombstones are positioned around the castle’s loggias, facades and courtyards or along the external perimeter.

 

How to get there: underground red line M1 stops Cairoli and Cadorna FN, green line M2 stops Lanza and Cadorna FN; tram 1, 2, 4, 12, 14; bus 50, 57, 58, 85

4 - Mysterious Baths at the Triennale

Giardino della Triennale Milano, viale Alemagna

 

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

 

How to get there: underground line M1 red and M2 green, Cadorna stop; tram 1, 10; bus 85

5 - Needle, thread and knot

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 Milanese transport hub, and represents the typical Milanese traits of industriousness and dedication to work.

 

How to get there: underground line M1 red and M2 green Cadorna stop; tram 1, 4; bus 58, 85

6 - City Life Contemporary Art Park

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 star architechts 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.

 

How to get there: metro line M5 lilac stop Tre Torri

7 - Disco Solare, Arnaldo Pomodoro

Piazza Meda

 

Disco Solare or Disco Grande is a shimmering 1980 bronze sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro, currently located in Milano’s Piazza Meda. The striking Solar Disc plays with the dynamic contrast between curved lines, straight, rigid lines and the multitude of welded geometric shapes.

 

How to get there: underground line M1 red, stops San Babila and Duomo; tram 1

8 - Leonardo's Horse

Ippodromo di Milano, Piazzale dello sport 16

 

Leonardo's Horse is part of an equestrian monument to Francesco Sforza that Leonardo da Vinci worked on from 1482. Leonardo’s original sculpture was never completed: however, thanks to the Master’s detailed drawings, the Horse was replicated by artist Nina Akamu and is now on display at the Hippodrome.

 

How to get there: metro line M5 lilac, stop San Siro Ippodromo; tram 16

9 - Casa Galimberti

Via Marcello Malpighi, 3

 

Designed by 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 celebrated Milanese Art Nouveau period. Most of the building’s external facade is adorned with striking majolica tiles, braided wrought iron and concrete floral motifs.

 

How to get there: metro line M1 red, stop Porta Venezia; tram 9

10 - Museum of Young Artists

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. This 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.

 

How to get there: metro line M4 blue Linate stop + bus 183; bus 73 + 183

10 + 1 - Monumental Cemetery

Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale

 

It is not exactly an open-air artwork, but it is an extraordinary set of works, so it deserves a place in this list. Milano’s Cimitero Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery) is one of the city's most beautiful and majestic areas, an open-air sculpture museum and a tree-lined leafy haven away from the city’s din.

 

How to get there: underground line M5 lilac, stop Monumentale and M2 green line, stop Garibaldi; trams 2, 4, 10, 12, 14, 33; bus 94

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