Journey back to a time when this green space was not a park. This is Parco Aldo Aniasi. Before your eyes stretches a tapestry of green. It replaced what was once the agricultural municipality of Trenno. It is a transformation worth exploring.
Parco Aldo Aniasi is also known as Parco di Trenno. The park is one of Milan’s largest. It spans over 50 hectares. That is roughly 123 acres. Imagine fields of crops swaying in the breeze. This area remained agricultural until 1971.
In 1971, the city designated it as a public park. The park’s transformation began. Today, Parco Aldo Aniasi is a vibrant space for recreation and relaxation. It is located between Municipalities 7 and 8.
Before its life as farmland, the area had another purpose. During World War I, it served as a military airfield from 1916 to 1918. Squadrons of the Royal Army’s Air Service were stationed here. The echoes of planes taking off and landing are long gone. Now you will find peace and quiet.
The Scheibler family once owned this land. They were Prussian entrepreneurs who became prominent in Milan’s silk industry. They acquired land including two villas.
Evidence of its agricultural past remains within Parco Aldo Aniasi. Look around at the two rural buildings. These are Cascina Bellaria and Cassinetta di Trenno. Also you may notice the disused fountains Cagnola and Santa Maria. These once irrigated the fields.
Since 2012, the park carries the name of Aldo Aniasi. He served as the mayor of Milan from 1967 to 1976. His tenure saw significant changes in the city. The park’s renaming honors his contribution.
Notice the park’s layout. It features large meadows and long straight avenues. Rows of trees line these avenues. They mark the divisions of the old fields.
Parco Aldo Aniasi is not just about open space. It has many sports facilities. There are basketball courts, volleyball courts and tennis courts. You can also find skating areas and soccer fields. Six bowling greens offer another recreational option.
Within the park lies a poignant reminder of World War II. The British War Cemetery is the final resting place for 417 soldiers. They were from Commonwealth countries. They died during the liberation of Italy.
The park boasts over 4,000 trees. Among them are plane trees and maples. Ailanthus, horse chestnuts and white pines also grow here. Botanical routes wind through the park. Volunteers offer guided tours.
Though the fountains no longer flow, water is still present. A branch of the Fontanile Cagnola diverts water from the Villoresi canal. It is a crucial resource for irrigating nearby farmlands.
Parco Aldo Aniasi stands as a testament to Milan’s evolving landscape. From military airfield to farmland to public park, its story reflects the city’s dynamic history. It is a place where the past and present intertwine.