Anyone who has followed this blog for any length of time, and has seen our past posts about Milan, will know that we love to spend evenings in the Navigli district. This is the part of town where two canals meet, and the waterways are lined with restaurants, bars, and shops, making it one of the city’s most popular nighttime destinations. On this trip, we took advantage of the location of our apartment, to explore the area a bit, during the daylight hours, when it takes on an entirely different sort of energy and vibe.
The Ristorante Maya is a popular spot for cocktails and Mexican plates, especially during aperitivo hours, which generally happen nightly, from 6pm to 9pm.
On a nearby wall, a plaque honors Francesco Pellegrini, a patriot and partisan, who fought against the Fascists. Pellegrini was born in Milan.
The Sacrestia Farmacia Alcolica is a cocktail bar and restaurant, set in what used to be a “pleasure house,” or brothel. When the “pleasure house” was forced to close in the 1950s, the building became home to a pharmacy. The bar we see today is a culmination of both prior businesses. It is lit and furnished with remnants of the brothel, but it also displays elements of the pharmacy, such as the large collection of glass jars, in which the medicines were kept. We did not have a chance to go inside the sacristy, but you can bet it is on the top of our list, for our next visit to the city!
The Giardino Primo Moroni is a small garden, or park area, along Via Conchetta, named after the writer and publisher, Primo Moroni, who owned a bookstore in the area.
Next up: We continue our exploration of the area, including a school that teaches “knowledge that matters”!
Note: This blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations that may appear. If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from Milan, as well as other Italian destinations. Grazie!