Ever wonder why this Milanese neighborhood feels so unique? This is Quartiere Mirabello. It is a place with a fascinating story.
Quartiere Mirabello was built in 1939. It was a project of the Istituto Fascista Autonomo Case Popolari di Milano. The goal? To create a neighborhood for the “new ruling class.” This included middle-to-upper bourgeoisie, professionals, industrialists, and artists. It was similar in concept to the nearby Villaggio dei Giornalisti.
The area where Quartiere Mirabello was built once belonged to Greco. The neighborhood consists of twelve buildings. These buildings are only two to three stories high. Soon charming villas and houses with gardens joined them. These additions enhanced the area’s architectural appeal.
But where did the name “Mirabello” come from? It comes from Villa Mirabello. Villa Mirabello is a prime example of a suburban villa-farmhouse from the Renaissance. Today it is one of the best-preserved buildings near Milan’s city center.
Villa Mirabello’s history stretches back to the early 1400s. It was built in the countryside on land owned by Filippo Maria Visconti. The Villa was perfect for leisure and hunting expeditions. Ducal records show it became a country residence in the mid-15th century. Pigello Portinari, a Florentine banker for the Medici family, bought it. He wanted to create a welcoming place. It would be part hunting lodge, part small pleasure villa.
Since 1916, Villa Mirabello has housed the Casa di lavoro e patronato per i ciechi di guerra di Lombardia. This translates to the “Home for Work and Support for War Blind of Lombardy”.
The villa showcases Lombard Renaissance style. You can see this in its ogival terracotta windows. The small portico courtyard is particularly interesting. Also of note is the attached chapel. It still has traces of old frescoes.
Quartiere Mirabello offers a glimpse into Milan’s past. It shows a time when neighborhoods were designed for specific social classes. Its origins connected to Villa Mirabello add to its charm. The villa itself has transformed over the centuries from a hunting lodge to a home for war veterans. It is a testament to Milan’s ever-evolving story. Take a stroll through Quartiere Mirabello. You will experience a unique slice of Milanese history and culture.