Piazzale Carlo Archinto

“Wait, look at those sculptures!” exclaimed a surprised voice. That voice belonged to you, as you admired the unusual figures decorating the Casa del capomastro Attilio Ballerio right here in Piazzale Carlo Archinto. Piazzale Carlo Archinto is not just a square. It is a charming echo of old Milan, whispering tales of its transformation. Before the elegant liberty-style houses graced its edges, this very ground held a very different purpose. Imagine, instead of the gentle bustle of today, a solemn silence hung in the air. Piazzale Carlo Archinto was once the site of the ancient cemetery of San Giuseppe alla Mojazza. As the city grew, the cemeteries were moved, and Piazzale Carlo Archinto, like a phoenix, rose from its somber past into a lively residential area. Take a moment to appreciate the Casa del capomastro Attilio Ballerio. Look closely at those long, decorated pillars, known as lesenes, that reach towards the sky. Notice the captivating, if slightly grotesque, female figures seemingly holding up the roofline with their bare hands? This touch of whimsy is the hallmark of Alberto Sironi, the architect who left his artistic stamp on this building and many others in the Isola district. He might have chuckled to himself, imagining the surprised faces of passersby gazing at his sculptures. So, next time you find yourselves strolling through Piazzale Carlo Archinto, remember its layered past. Remember the silent cemetery it once was, reborn as a lively piazza, adorned with whispers of art and history.