“Bull’s tower” they called it long ago. That’s the ancient meaning of Turro, this Milanese district we’re standing in now. Welcome to Milano Turro.
Before Milano Turro became part of Milan, it was its own town. That was before 1918. Milano Turro has a history going way back. We know there was a settlement here in 1489.
But its origins probably go back even further to an old tower. Maps from 950 show this tower. They called it “Tauris Turris” in Latin. That means bull’s tower.
For a while, Milano Turro was part of Milan under Napoleon. But then it became independent again in 1816. This happened after the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia was created.
In 1861, only 319 people lived in Milano Turro. In 1864, its name was changed to “Turro Milanese.” Rich Milanese families owned much of the land. These families included the Melzi, the Dal Verme, and the Visconti.
In the early 1900s, many factories came to Milano Turro. Because of this the population grew fast. In 1901, 555 people lived here. By 1911, that number jumped to 7,883. In the 1930s, it was 20,000. Then, in 1918, Milano Turro became part of Milan for good.
Until the 1980s, Milano Turro was mostly industrial. Then, the factories closed. The area became more residential.
Even with factories and houses, Milano Turro has green spaces. The Naviglio Martesana canal runs through it. There are two main parks such as Parco Martesana. You can bike from there to Parco Sempione.
One of the important places in Milano Turro is the church. It is called Santa Maria Assunta in Turro. It is one of the oldest churches near Milan. They built it in the early 1800s. It replaced an older church from the 1500s. The church has a neoclassical front and painted decorations.
Today, Milano Turro is changing again. It is being redeveloped. You can still see the working-class past. There are old bars and associations. But now, there are also young people. They are bringing new technology to the area. They work together to make Milano Turro a better place. It’s a mix of old and new. It’s a place where history meets the future. As you explore, remember the tower. Remember the families, the factories, and the changes that have shaped Milano Turro into what it is today.