Hidden amidst Milan’s sprawling suburbs stands Cascina Linterno. Its very name whispers of a mystical past. For centuries it was known as “Infernum” meaning “inferno” or “faraway land”. This seemingly ominous name belies a captivating history. Cascina Linterno is more than just a farmhouse. It’s a living testament to Milan’s agricultural heritage. It’s also one of only four known residences of the renowned poet Francesco Petrarca during his Milanese sojourn from 1353 to 1361.
Cascina Linterno’s origins trace back to the 12th century. It began as a rural grange. This was a farming outpost belonging to a monastic community. Either the Knights Hospitaller or the Knights Templar owned it. The “Carta Investiture” of 1154 provides the first documented evidence of Linterno’s existence. This ancient document names the “de Marliano” family as landowners of “Infernum”. They were a powerful Lombard family.
Over the centuries a small village grew around Cascina Linterno’s enclosed courtyard. This village gradually became integrated into Milan’s western urban fabric. Fortunately Cascina Linterno retains its original structure. It borders the public Parco delle Cave. This is part of the larger Parco Agricolo Sud Milano. Fields surrounding a large sports center are also nearby.
Urban expansion threatened Cascina Linterno with demolition. In 1994 it narrowly escaped being converted into a luxury residence. Thanks to numerous intellectuals and the efforts of the “Associazione amici della Cascina Linterno” it was saved. A ministerial decree in 1999 protected Cascina Linterno. Both a monumental and a landscape preservation order now safeguard it.
The enduring legend of Petrarca’s residence at Cascina Linterno adds to its allure. His autobiographical letter to his friend Moggio di Parma explicitly mentions “Infernum”. This letter provides strong evidence. Numerous early printed books reinforce this connection. These books associate the poet with this very location near the village of Quarto Cagnino. Quarto Cagnino was indeed four miles from Milan.
Through the centuries Cascina Linterno’s significance endured. Noted writers such as Pietro Verri and Ugo Foscolo have written about it. It continued to be linked to Petrarca. Antonio Marsand’s work in the 19th century even depicted “The Solitude of Linterno”. This depiction further established Cascina Linterno’s cultural legacy.
A 2014 stratigraphic analysis of Cascina Linterno’s walls yielded extraordinary findings. These confirmed the existence of a high-quality rural residence. This structure dates to the early 15th century at the latest. It corroborates the long-held tradition of Petrarca’s stay. The walls revealed Visconteo heraldic designs. This includes the “Radia magna” a radiant sun. This symbol appears on the apse window of Milan Cathedral. It’s a powerful emblem of the Visconti family. Cascina Linterno stands as a unique site. It is a place where history poetry and nature converge. It remains a testament to the lasting legacy of Francesco Petrarca. A legacy that continues to resonate in Milan today.