• Parks
    • Active & Green
    • Cycle Tourism

The mills and the river olona

A path to fully understand the life of the river, which from a natural element becomes strength at the service of man.

Taking off from the Parabiago Station FS, the first urban stretch will take you to the Villoresi Channels and to the intersection with the Olona river. Continuing north, you'll encounter various mills like the Starquà Mill, whose very original name comes from a series of events in 1853 when the troops of the Habsburg army were ordered to vacate the premises, the miller responded "noi vogliamo star qua" (We want to stay here).

Not far away, the Mill of Miglio, presumably built in 1600 and the Montoli Mill dating back to the 15th century. Together with another four mills they make up the "Park of Mills", which are a consistent group of 116 mills gradually abandoned in the early 20th century or demolished to make room for the cotton industry.

Continuing north we encounter the Castle of Legnano, a beautiful Lombard castle built by the Visconti family and then the Villa Parravicini with a large English-style park of nearly 10 thousand square meters where you can admire 30 different tree species. The last stop on the trip before heading back to the starting point is the Parco del Roccolo where, next to crops of wheat and corn, can be found woods and waterways.

 

Milestones:

- Sanctuary of the Madonna of the God Sà, located in the immediate vicinity of Parabiago, was created by a pupil of Bramante

- Shrine of Our Lady of Colorina, in a secluded position among the village of Nerviano, was once visited by San Carlo Borromeo in 1570

- Cascina Bergamina, with a great and complex rural architecture dating back to 1500

- Park of Mills, within its bounds lie 6 mills, testimony to an ancient tradition of milling in the area

- Castle of Legnano, a splendid example of a Lombard castle, now hosts events and exhibitions

- Villa Parravicini, according to a popular legend, it is the villa in which Federico Barbarossa took refuge after defeat in the Battle of Legnano in 1176

- Parco del Roccolo, where you can find fantastic wooded areas like the Roccolo Forest and the Arluno Forests

 

Locations on route:

- Parabiago, the city of shoes where you can buy artesian shoes in various shops and factory outlets

- Nerviano, for an interesting visit to the Olivetan ex-convent of Saint Mary the Crowned, and from 2003 the headquarters of the Municipality

- Legnano, noted for its historic battle of 1176 that put Federico Barbarossa against the troops of Lega Lombarda, ending in a victory for the latter

- Canegrate, noted for the Visconti Castelli Palace, an historic building built in various phases whose work was interrupted several times and used over time, even as a spinning mill.

Take me here: The mills and the river olona

On the same topic

The treasures of Monza Park

An oasis of peace, well-being and culture, Monza Park is a popular spot for an invigorating break in contact with nature.
  • Parks
The treasures of Monza Park

Lombard Park of the Ticino Valley

The territories along the blue river are populated by excellences of fauna and historical beauties
  • Parks
Lombard Park of the Ticino Valley

Regional Park of Serio

A full immersion in the fluvial environment of the river Serio discovering wetlands of great naturalistic interest
  • Parks
Regional Park of Serio

Springtime in the Royal Residence and Park of Monza

  • Parks
Springtime in the Royal Residence and Park of Monza

Monza Park and its green Giants

  • Parks
Parco di Monza

Insider Pavia

Pavia, Vigevano, the Oltrepò countryside, the villages. Discover seven tips for a special “local” trip.
  • Parks
I 3 laghi_Lomellina

Park Lambro Valley

Nestled between the lakes of Pusiano, Alserio and the park of the Villa Reale di Monza in the heart of Brianza
  • Parks
Parco della Valle del Lambro, Lombardia da visitare

6 parks close to the city

From the green heart of Como to Vanzago Woods, check out 6 parks for day trips
  • Parks
Oasi WWF Vanzago (MI)

Groane Park Lombardy

Settled close to the cities the park is marked by its moorlands and some important historical villas
  • Parks
Parco delle Groane

Park Campo dei Fiori

Located in the Pre-Alps, the park of Varese is home to wetlands, natural areas and a rich variety of flora and fauna
  • Parks
Campo dei Fiori Regional Park

In Monza for the Foliage

From the Villa Reale Gardens to the monumental trees in Monza Park, find the best corners to enjoy the foliage.
  • Parks
Foliage Parco di Monza

Bosco delle Querce Park

Created by the hand of man, this park offers naturalistic and recreational areas
  • Parks
Bosco delle Querce Park

Park of Bernina, Disgrazia, Val Masino and Val Codera

  • Parks
@inlombardia - Trekking sulle Alpi Retiche

Natural Parks in Lombardy

A landscape dominated by agriculture to be covered also by bicycle along the network of cycle paths
  • Parks
Natural Parks in Lombardy, suggestions on what to see

Lodges in Lombardy

  • Parks
I migliori rifugi in Lombardia

From Lake Ceresio to Lake Maggiore through Valcuvia

  • Parks
Valcuvia

Park of Tenuta La Quassa and the Ispra Kilns

Parco della Quassa and Ispra furnaces: traces of history and beautiful paths along the lakefront.
  • Parks
La Quassa park, Ispra lakefront and its kilns

Spina Verde Regional Park

Into the park woods, discovering a rich flora-fauna and architectural heritage
  • Parks
Spina Verde Regional Park

Mincio Park

Along the river Mincio, from Lake Garda to the Po, along foot and cycle paths crossing a mosaic of evocative scenery
  • Parks
Parco del Mincio

Alto Garda Bresciano Park

With an area of about 38,000 hectares, the park is positioned between lake Garda and mountains
  • Parks
Alto Garda Bresciano Park