Senago: Villas, Park and Parco delle Groane

When choosing a hotel in Senago, you can focus on three different themes: historic villas, Villa Borromeo Park or the “Ville Storiche e Groane” cycling route. These themes reveal different aspects of the town: architectural history, parkland and a cycling tour along the Canale Villoresi each appeal to a different interest. You can first decide whether architecture and history or planning an active route will shape your trip.

Villas and architectural history

Fragments of a painted trompe-l’œil portal are preserved on the inner façade of Villa Corbella-Martinelli-Sioli. The motif is associated with the perspectival illusionism of Lombard Baroque residences. A trompe-l’œil portal uses painted architecture; its perspective creates a sense of depth. The Church of San Bernardo, which was once part of the villa, is nearby.

The succession of owners also tells a story in several stages: the villa passed from the Corbella family to the Martinelli family, then to the Archbishops of Milan, and subsequently to Angelo Sioli. At Villa Verzolo-Monzini, you can distinguish between its construction and later renovation. The Monzini family built it around the middle of the 18th century. Around 1850, it was converted into a villa, and frescoed ceilings were created; they are still visible today.

Villa Borromeo and the Groane

Villa Borromeo stands on an artificial hill in the Senago area. Over the centuries, it evolved from a fortified structure into a villa di delizia. Its park covers 100,000 square metres and includes a botanical garden. Parco delle Groane lists Villa Borromeo in Senago as a place of historical and artistic interest. Part of the municipality of Senago lies within Parco delle Groane.

A historic building housing a library

BICS – Biblioteca Italo Calvino Senago – is housed in a historic building constructed in the second half of the 18th century. The ground-floor entrance is at Parco Monzini; the park can be reached via Via Don Ambrogio Rocca and Via Repubblica. Senago’s architectural history also includes the library: its building dates from the same period in which several of the villas described here were built or renovated.

Cycling route along the Canale Villoresi

The “Ville Storiche e Groane” route is a cycling tour described as suitable for everyone. It follows the Canale Villoresi towards Senago. A 2 km section of the route runs alongside the canal; you then reach the Fornace Parodi. This distance provides a specific measurement for planning your route; if you would like to admire architecture along the way, you can enjoy views of Villa Ponti as you ride towards Senago.

Culinary traditions of the Province of Milan

The culinary traditions of the Province of Milan complement its architecture and landscapes with a regional perspective. Salame Brianza and Salame Milano are considered typical cured meats of the province. Typical first courses include saffron risotto, also known as risotto alla milanese; one variation is served with ossobuco.

Discover more destinations: Pieve Emanuele, Abbiategrasso, Ossona, Boffalora Sopra Ticino, Bareggio, Paullo, Gaggiano, Casarile.

For the main travel overview: Milan.