Parco Sempione, Urban park in central Milan, Italy
Parco Sempione stretches over 47 hectares between Castello Sforzesco and Arco della Pace, offering wide lawns, winding footpaths, and several small ponds. The grounds also include the Triennale museum, Arena Civica, and the civic aquarium, all set within the greenery.
The grounds opened in 1893 on a former military parade field that had served for centuries as a ducal hunting reserve for the Visconti and Sforza families. The transformation followed a plan by Emilio Alemagna, who turned the bare land into a public garden inspired by English landscape design.
The name recalls the old Simplon road that once ran through this area and connected Milan to Switzerland. The lawns draw many locals on sunny days, who come to picnic, sunbathe, or sit on the benches lining the paths and enjoy the quiet surroundings.
Access is available daily from 6:30 AM, with closing times shifting by season and extending to 11:30 PM during summer. The main paths are easy to walk and suitable for strollers or wheelchairs, while smaller trails among the trees can be more uneven.
Two botanical trails are marked with signs that introduce and explain fifty different plant species, including native trees and imported specimens. The markers guide visitors to lesser known corners and help identify the variety of plants that often goes unnoticed.
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