Apr 4, 2025

Cimiterio Monumentale Milan

Cemetery or art museum?

""Cimiterio Monumentale" is a historical spot that I'd highly recommend to visit, a cemetery where the locals celebrate death, and not in a morbid way!"

No visit to Milan is complete without a tour of Cimitero Monumentale, where the Milanese celebrate death. Sounds a bit creepy, weird and morbid? Just think pyramids in Egypt or Taj Mahal in India. Dating back to 1866, Milan's Monumental Cemetery pays tribute to human spirit regardless of religion. Actually, two newer parts were built to host Jewish and non-Catholic Milanese citizens having contributed to the city's history and urban life.

Apart from the obvious religious character, the churchyard is a full-blown open-air museum, an ode to art, history, culture and - typically Milanese - sometimes also ostentation. Having found their final resting place on Cimiterio Monumentale many of the Milanese elite (past and present) celebrate themselves in grand style with monuments commissioned for well-known artists and designers like Pietro Cascella, Giò Ponti and many more. Walking past the graves takes you on a tour-de-force through Italian art history. Full of stunning architecture, impressive tombs, park-like avenues, little woods, quiet corners and thousands of sculptures, the churchyard is vast, beautiful, one-of-a-kind.

Despite all the displayed human aspiration of leaving a mark, the Milanese Monumental Cemetery is an oasis of peace, contemplation, serenity and tranquility. It is a working cemetery, thus, you will see people taking care of the graves of their loved ones. Located just North of Chinatown and being the second most visited sight in Milan, Monumentale is never crowded, oftentimes I've walked down the aisles without meeting anybody else. Just like meditating. Short & simple: the most beautiful cemetery I've ever seen!

 

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale

free

0288441274

Find your way with 185 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Milan guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Milan

Rinascente

Affordable place for doing shopping

During the 20th century, it became one of the most important shops in the city, specialising in selling branded clothes, above all famous Italian brands.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

May 20, 2025

Sant'Eustorgio

The best church in Milan

It was built in 334 a.c, in a period when Milan or Mediolanum, the Latin name of the city, was the capital of the Western Roman Empire.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

May 20, 2025

The infamous column

Victims of superstitions

The first one was made in 1630, in place of the house of Gian Giacomo Mora, who was a barber, and it's still there today on the road that bears his name.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

May 20, 2025

Terrazza Aperol

Best drink in Milan

There are two types of people: those who take Aperol and those who take Campari. But what's the difference? Read to find out...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

May 20, 2025

Vitamina

Fairytale on the move

"Vitamina" Milan is a must visit amongst the famous underground electronic music in Milan. You'll find yourself in a whole other world in good vibes...

029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Matteo

Carini

May 20, 2025

Pizzeria Woodstock

The real pizza of Milan

This restaurant is one of those which is resisting and still gives the possibility to have delicious traditional pizzas at affordable prices.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

May 18, 2025

Mitú Restaurant

The Spirit of Colombia

Mitú is a place I would enthusiastically recommend to a friend seeking a charming atmosphere, great cuisine and attentive and knowledgeable staff.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Carmen

Condeescu

May 17, 2025

Church Sant'Ambrogio

Back in the past

The Church of Sant'Ambrogio, built this church in the 5th century AD, is an important church because it was built by the patron of the city, Ambrogio.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

May 17, 2025

Church of Saint Sebastian

Against the plague

One of the most interesting in the city, founded in 1576, it has the same structure as some Roman-Greek circular temples, "tholos" in ancient Greek.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

Apr 30, 2025

Church of Santo Stefano

Or a crime scene

It was built in the V century around a stone, which beneath it had the relics of four Christian martyrs who were brutally tortured and then killed...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

Apr 30, 2025

Alda Merini Bridge

The most romantic bridge

Alda Merini was one of the most interesting people in the city and was always wandering around Navigli, so anybody could go and meet her in that district.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

Apr 30, 2025

Villa Invernizzi

Secret Flamingo Oasis

Villa Invernizzi is an impressive Milan mansion with its own covey of pink flamingos. They spend their quiet lives in the garden, used to the attention.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Matteo

Banchi

Apr 29, 2025

Heading to Milan?

185 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

185 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Milan

Get to know our other Spotters from Milan

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
28
Filters