Farmhouses in Milan: where they are, what they offer

The farmhouses represent one of the material and immaterial testimonies of Milanese rurality and are often properties of landscape interest.

The typical configuration of the farmhouse reflects the organization of work. The spaces are distributed in a functional way between owners' and workers' houses, barns and stables, areas for storing and moving products and machinery.

The architectural features in general feature solid masonry elements, wooden windows, tiles and trusses. In several cases it is possible to notice these elements preserved over time a few kilometers from the city center.

Even today, in Milan, the corporate headquarters of the agricultural company is often located in these ancient buildings in which, while respecting the original characteristics, we see new projects and services aimed at the public progressively developing.

Where are the farmhouses today?

By virtue of the urban and economic changes after the Second World War, as well as the intended use of the territory developed since then and up to today, the farmhouses are found in contexts that are sometimes very different from each other and also detached from a strictly agricultural connotation. They can therefore be broadly classified into:

farmhouses in the agricultural sector;
farmhouses in park areas;
farmhouses in urban areas.

Access to these structures is not always permitted as they constitute workplaces and, in some cases, show signs of deterioration of the structures. Therefore, it is important to approach these realities in agreement with the hosts and respecting the precautions suggested to us.

Consult the map to locate the farms that carry out agricultural activities.

From the land to happy hour: what we find in the farmhouse

The agricultural farms have maintained their productive vocation, in some cases expanding it both due to the need to find new sources of income and due to the widespread need of the metropolitan population to rediscover the environment and the landscape. In addition to traditional cultivation and livestock activities, it is therefore not uncommon to come across agritourism and educational initiatives, sales outlets for company or local products, and spaces for free time and entertainment.

In some urban parks the farms have radically changed their purpose and are now dedicated to public utility services that are difficult to place in residential contexts. Projects of this type can be seen at Forlanini Park, Lambro Park and in some public gardens.

Some "urban" farmhouses, which have evolved by converting their use and inserting new and different functions, have nevertheless maintained the original architectural layout. This is the case of the Linterno and Torrette farms - present in the context of the Trenno Park - and of Cascina Cuccagna, literally a stone's throw from the city centre.