Parco Giovanni Testori

Behind us, the ancient walls of Milan whisper secrets. The Parco Giovanni Testori, formerly known as Campo dei Fiori, sits in front of us, a vibrant green oasis in the bustling city. Its playful name, “Field of Flowers”, doesn’t quite capture the history or the magic of this place. In the early 20th century, this park was filled with modest homes and small gardens, a haven for war veterans and railway workers. Each street, you see, was named after a tree, and they were all meticulously planted. But time marches on and by the 1960s, those little houses were torn down for bigger, modern buildings. For a decade, the park stood empty, a neglected patch of land. However, it was eventually transformed into the green space we see today. It was only much later that the park was named after the acclaimed Milanese writer Giovanni Testori – a fitting tribute. Today, the Parco Giovanni Testori is a bustling park full of children playing, the occasional dog walker, and lovers whispering sweet nothings under the shade of the trees. Look around! You’ll see a large playground, basketball courts, and even a dedicated space for our furry friends. And if you listen closely, you might even hear echoes of the whispers of the past, stories of war weary soldiers and the families that once called this park home.