Discover Segrate: Idroscalo, art and culture

Segrate offers a range of reasons to plan a stay: the history and outdoor art around Idroscalo, historic buildings, and cultural and leisure facilities. When choosing what to visit, it is worth considering these themes separately—as well as the access requirements for each location.

Idroscalo: history and getting your bearings

Idroscalo was inaugurated on 28 October 1930 as a seaplane airport. After a few sporadic events, flight operations came to a halt. Today, the 1.6-million-square-metre site is described as an oasis of well-being. Its history as a seaplane airport and its present-day scale therefore belong to two distinct chapters in its development.

The approximate distance from Segrate station to the park is 1,400 metres. From there, you can reach Idroscalo on ATM bus route 923, or on foot or by bicycle via three combined pedestrian and cycle overpasses. If you are planning to use this connection for your journey, check the bus route information again before travelling.

Access to Laghetto delle Vergini is by advance reservation only. The CCV Milano Civil Protection organisation holds guided tours and educational activities there throughout the year; confirm the specific dates in advance. The access requirement and the recurring programme are two separate aspects to consider when planning.

Outdoor art and historic sites

Parco dell’Arte is an outdoor sculpture museum more than one kilometre long. Set in a natural environment, it displays sculptures by internationally renowned contemporary artists. As works may be added, removed or relocated, the collection can change. By contrast, the public, free outdoor area of Museo Giovani Artisti features works of traditional sculpture and contemporary environmental art. Comparing the two offerings reveals different artistic focuses: contemporary sculptures with an international outlook in one, and traditional sculpture alongside environmental art in the other.

Cascina Ovi also brings together the present and the past. Its first known mention dates back to 1346. During the redevelopment of the site occupied by the old Cascina Ovi, its architectural design was preserved, while a building rooted in Segrate’s past was brought back into use. Cascina Ovi Inferiore is now protected by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Architecture and houses the M.OVI Museum of Segrate’s local history.

Outside Cascina Ovi is the Oratorio del Santissimo Crocifisso. It is protected for its valuable decorative fresco cycles from the 15th and 18th centuries. The Centro Civico Cascina Ovi also houses the local branch library, Biblioteca Milano 2. These sites offer different points of interest: local history and architecture, protected frescoes, and a library.

Culture, green spaces and leisure activities

The Auditorium Arturo Toscanini is equipped as a theatre and has 373 seats. The town regularly organises theatre and classical music seasons there. If you would like to combine a visit with a performance, confirm the current dates in advance. Centroparco offers something different: it is designed as a green space with ecological and social functions, a lively, safe place open to everyone.

Several other facilities offer distinct activities. Aulì Ulè is a nature-oriented garden for children, with some play equipment and wooden structures among trees and green spaces. Villaggio del Bambino has numerous land-based games, a water-play area and a picnic zone with outdoor tables. Little Segrate is an equipped park with electric motorcycles and cars for practical road-safety education for young road users; access is by appointment. Piscina Comunale also has two sun terraces and an equipped green area. If these outdoor areas are important to your plans, check their current availability before your visit.

The features described provide a practical guide when choosing among these destinations: outdoor art and history sit alongside music, green spaces and leisure activities. When planning, pay particular attention to dates that need to be confirmed at Laghetto delle Vergini and the auditorium, as well as the reservation or appointment requirements for access to Laghetto delle Vergini and Little Segrate.

Discover more destinations: Corbetta, Bernate Ticino, Paullo, Ossona, Desio, Canegrate, Rozzano, Cernusco Sul Naviglio.

For the wider travel overview: Milan.