The Legends and Traditions of Milan, the popular soul

Legends in the shadow of Milan Castle

Our guided tour on the hunt for Milan’s legends and traditions always begins in the shadow of the Sforza Castle, under the Filarete Tower: on its walls towers the Biscione, an animal symbol of the city and the power of the Sforza family. Dragon or snake? What happened to those who ventured outside the city? The most curious visitors will be satisfied–but beware! In the vicinity of Simplon Park, beyond the fortress, it is also said that the specter of a Veiled Lady with magnetic charm and the scent of violets, an unfailing character in the repertoire of mysterious Milan…

Milan, between traditions and legends-or truth?

Abandoning ghosts and terrifying stories, we will follow our professional guide to the beating heart of Milan’s historic center, to the ancient Broletto on Via Mercanti to discover new legends and traditions. Another animal, a semi-lute sow, watches us from the top of the facade of the imposing medieval building. Do we owe the city’s name to her? What stories does she hide? Walking through Cathedral Square and under the crystal dome of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, all the way to Palazzo Marino in Piazza Scala many other tales await us, evoking the symbolic kaleidoscope of the city, made up of place names and customs that still live on in the habits and customs of the people of Milan.

Traditions in the cuisine of Milan

But that’s not all, on this guided tour our guides will also tantalize your taste buds by telling you about the origin of Risotto alla Milanese and Panettone, traditional recipes that are now famous all over the world… not to mention the many sweets that are linked to the anniversaries of the Ambrosian calendar and the ancient traditions of the area. A new, exciting and fun way to discover the historic center of Milan and the many legends that crowd it, curious to learn about the millennial and sometimes enigmatic history of our city.

In collaboration with

Hunting for traditions, from season to season…

Between September and October – Autumn Traditions

Autumn possesses a magic all its own: the days grow shorter, yellowing leaves begin to fall from the trees, and the city fills with colors and scents. From the Rite of the Nivola in the Duomo to the Palio delle Oche di Lacchiarella, so many festivities dot the Milanese and Lombard calendar, intertwining with ancient legends . Leading the way, in the local food and wine tradition, are the fruits of autumn: the recently harvestedgrapes, the chestnuts once sold in the square by the Castagnatt, the pumpkin… what better occasion, then, for an autumn tour of the city, tasting the typical Pan tranvai, the bread with grapes that the Milanese trammen enjoyed at breakfast before riding through the city of Milan in their cars.

Between October and November – Time of the Dead

November, time of the Dead, season of ancient festivals: not only, then, the eccentric Anglo-Saxon tradition of Halloween, but also the Christian festivals of All Saints ‘ Day and Commemoration of the Dead. Darker atmospheres, early fog, the glow of lit candles to remember loved ones… it’s the perfect opportunity to reenact the most mysterious tales of the old town while enjoying a taste of Pan dei morti, a treat made of crumbled cookies, dried fruit and spices that used to be prepared in homage to the souls of the departed.

In December – The Magic of Christmas

The historic center of Milan, in the magic of Christmas, also reminds us of the ancient Christmas customs that once animated the city. Among the city’s symbols and festivities, how can we forget the feast of the Patron Saint Ambrose or the procession of the Three Kings, the Oh Bej Oh Bej Fair or the feast of Santa Lucia? Finally, space for the tasty recipe of Panettone, an unfailing sweet on the tables set by the Milanese, in whose homes, every year, the Rite of the Ciocco was celebrated, a piece of wood, usually oak, that was traditionally burned by the father of the family to start a real propitiatory rite…

In January – Winter Traditions

Christmas has passed and the end of winter, albeit slowly, seems to be approaching. From the eerie legend of the Giübiana to the very cold days of the Merla to the lights of Candlemas, we will discover the many magical festivities still remembered in Milan during the last winter months. And as the ritual of San Biagio dictates, one last taste of Panettone will be a panacea to get rid of sore throats and all the ills of the season!

February – Carnival Special

Milan at Carnival is filled with masks and colors… but what are the real traditions of the Ambrosian occasion? The good Meneghino, a figure from Milan’s Commedia dell’Arte, is its main character, and confetti, perhaps invented just outside Milan in 1875, the decoration that most haunts the city’s streets throughout February. Chiacchiere, a carnival sweet spread throughout the boot, the Milanese bake them strictly in the oven, preserving the lightness of the ancient recipe… ready to enjoy them together in the playful atmosphere of the Ambrosian Carnival? But not only Carnival: in this special guided tour, in anticipation of Women’s Day, we also get to know some of the female figures who have most influenced the legends and traditions of Milan.

In April – Easter in Milan

One of the most anticipated festivities of the year, Easter, with its traditions with very ancient roots, obviously deserves to be experienced in a city like Milan, where legends and customs mingle and tell us the true face of this city. Such an important religious holiday can only give rise to particularly heartfelt customs and rituals, including food and wine, that reveal something more about our city!

Between May and June – Special Ancient Crafts of Milan

Spring in Milan , and especially on Labor Day, is the right time to retrace the streets of the city to discover ancient (perhaps) vanished trades . So many streets in the historic center, already in their place names, tell of the professions of the Old Milan and the traditions associated with them: even the pan de mej, a typical Milanese sweet that was enjoyed with the panera, takes us back to the feast of St. George and the custom of the milkmen, on this occasion, to tighten contracts with their suppliers, the herdsmen!

Curiosities

How many courtyards are there in Castello Sforzesco? Generally you go through three, but there is a hidden one-have you ever seen it? Hidden in the meanders of Castello Sforzesco, only by visiting the Civic Museums can you cross the fourth courtyard, known as “del Drago.” It is one of the greenest courtyards in Milan, because it is covered with moss that gives it peculiar emerald hues.
Why is it called “of the dragon”?
At the center of this small “secret” courtyard visible only to visitors to the Museum of Ancient Art, there is a neo-Renaissance terracotta fountain, topped precisely by a Visconti dragon. The fountain was donated by Luca Beltrami, the famous restorer of the Castle, and placed in the Ducal Courtyard. With the postwar reconstruction by the BBPR group, it was moved to this small, hidden courtyard.