Parco Trotter

“A school inside a park?” you might ask, eyebrows raised. Yes, right here, at Parco Trotter, that unusual combination was once a reality! You see, before becoming the green lung of Milan’s Turro district, Parco Trotter had a much faster pace. From 1800 to 1924, this park was the heart of Milan’s trotting scene – a bustling horse racing track. You can almost hear the pounding hooves and the excited cheers, can’t you? When the races moved to San Siro, the city transformed this space into something remarkable. It wasn’t just another park; it became the site of “Casa del Sole”, a pioneering open-air school for frail and vulnerable children. Imagine that! Parco Trotter became a small town within a city, designed to protect these children, many at risk of tuberculosis, with two gyms, a swimming pool, even a theatre and a farm with animals. The school’s philosophy was revolutionary, embracing progressive ideas and outdoor learning, a far cry from the traditional stuffy classrooms. Eventually, in the 1970s, the park opened its gates to the public, becoming a cherished community space. As you stroll along the main pathway, a circular route spanning 800 meters, you’re actually tracing the old trotting track! The school buildings, remnants of Parco Trotter’s innovative past, still stand today, a testament to Milan’s commitment to blending history and nature.