Novate Milanese: History, Art and Architecture

Novate Milanese brings together railway and architectural history, church art, villa architecture and the agricultural landscape of Parco della Balossa. If you are looking for a hotel in Novate Milanese, you can plan your trip around the topics that interest you: railways, sacred art, historic architecture or contemporary culture.

Rail connections and railway history

Novate Milanese station is on the Milan–Saronno line and is served by the S1 and S3 suburban rail lines. It opened on this line on 5 October 1879. In addition to its connection to rail travel today, there are also specific dates relating to the history of the station and the line. Another milestone in local railway history is the Novate Milanese maintenance facility, established as a locomotive depot in 1928. Access depends on events. If you would like to include this place in your plans, check the relevant events programme.

Church art and architectural history

The Chiesa dei SS. Gervaso e Protaso has its first documented references in written records dating to 1042. Its cross-shaped floor plan comprises three naves, separated by pairs of columns made of Giaveno marble. The church’s furnishings include the canvas “Natività della Vergine”, painted by Camillo Procaccini in 1618. The church therefore brings together different art-historical points of reference: its early written record, the layout of the building and a dated work by a painter known by name.

Gesiö also brings together architectural and art history, although its historical milestones are different. In his will of 1529, Bernardino Busti provided for the construction of a church dedicated to Saint Celsus, together with a residence for a priest. Gesiö was built in the first half of the 16th century in fulfilment of this wish. It houses a painting by Paolo Camillo Landriani, dated 1603, depicting the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus and Saints Nazarius and Celsus. The comprehensive restoration of Gesiö was completed in September 2023, revealing original frescoes and remarkable architectural details.

Villa Venino and its garden

Villa Venino, also known as Villa Fassi Venino, is a historic aristocratic residence in the centre of Novate Milanese. At its centre is a portico with three round-arched openings. Smaller side wings enclose two courtyards: a main courtyard and a secondary one. The historic garden, named after Lidia Conca, was restored and opened to the public in 2010. The architecture and garden represent two different chapters in the history of this place, but the garden’s opening at that time does not establish current visiting hours.

Casa Testori and planning your visit

Casa Testori is a cultural centre on the outskirts of Milan, specialising in the production and promotion of contemporary art. It is located in the childhood home of Giovanni Testori, a villa dating to the early 20th century with two floors and a garden courtyard. The Biblioteca Testori at Casa Testori holds 17,800 titles. Students of different ages can take part in museum programmes and artistic and literary workshops, which combine guided tours with artistic experimentation; the programme depends on the events on offer.

Access to Casa Testori depends on the event. The garden and outdoor areas are accessible to people with disabilities; please confirm this information again before your visit. It is therefore worth checking the specific events programme and the access conditions in place there when planning your visit. This lets you tailor your visit to the actual occasion, rather than assuming that general access is available.

The agricultural landscape of Parco della Balossa

Parco della Balossa is an agricultural area of approximately 146 hectares. It was established as a Parco Locale di Interesse Sovracomunale (PLIS) in 2006 and incorporated into Parco Nord Milano in December 2015. Cascina Balossa is also part of the area’s agricultural past: around fifty years ago, it was associated with changing crops such as basil, barley, maize and courgettes. Taken together, these details show another side of the area’s history, beyond its churches, artworks and villas: the transformation of agricultural land and its incorporation into a larger park.

Discover more destinations: Mediglia, Biassono, Turbigo, Ornago, Basiano, Vimercate, Cesate, Besate.

For the broader travel guide: Milan.