Milan, Italy's economic epicentre, can be very hectic, stressful, busy, full and loud - just like every other metropolis. At the same time, Milan is not exactly the greenest city one could imagine. Spots to relax, re-charge one's battery and have a moment of silence and contemplation are rare.
All the more necessary and precious is a place like the Enso-Ji Zen monastery in a quiet side street on the edge of the Navigli neighbourhood. From the outside, the place in the backyard of an apartment house couldn't be less spectacular. But never judge a book by its cover! Once inside, Enso-Ji is a refuge from the energy-draining urban hustle and bustle. The interior design is authentically Japanese - reduced simplicity and pureness, nothing in there that would distract meditators from being mindful.
Zazen (meditation session) takes place three times a week (after work or early morning). The meditations are guided by Italian volunteer monks and nuns, all of them ordained in Japan. After 90 minutes of combined seated and walking meditation, everybody leaves way more serene and concentrated than when they came in. The atmosphere is very conducive to being mindful and focused. I've only met co-meditators doing their very best not to distract or disturb others. Even more important, there is no better environment to meditate than together with like-minded folks. The vibes created by a meditation group are by far more intense than just sitting on a cushion alone at home. My favourite place in Milan!
Find your way with 185 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The panzerotto is a sort of little fried rolled pizza, so the shape is like that of a sandwich completely closed that has a filling inside. Tasty!
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Sometimes there's the jazz evening, where you'll listen to jazz bands performing live, sometimes a poetry open mic where you can hear lovely poetry.
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At the American bookstore they sell every kind of book in English you might need, and even have the possibility of ordering from all over the world.
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This is one of the most interesting masterpieces of the art of the Italian Renaissance, and it was made in this way because there was no space...
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The most important type of pastry they have here is the beloved "panettone". It's a great cake that is the symbol of the Italian Christmas...
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What you will find when you get there is a great columned cloister, some gardens, a church, so many statues, Roman ruins... It's a place full of history.
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Milan is also well known for its experimental and more avant-garde forms of theatre, and the "spot" where all of this takes place is the Piccolo theatre.
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It's a magical place, a mix of art, politics, history, philosophy and really loud music. Every week there's a musical event and the entrance is cheap.
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Massimianus built not only a great house but even a great circus in front of it, where he and other citizens of Milan could watch chariot racing.
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Colibri is not a touristy place, but a spot where you can feel the vibe of Milan with its best and most vital inhabitants, the young intellectual students.
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"Frizzi & Lazzi" is one of my old-time favorite beer gardens in Milan. It's an unassuming, easy-going place that has become a point of reference since '82.
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"Ofelé" in Milan is a bistrot bakery that makes some of the best (Sunday) brunches around. It's simply one of my favorite pancake spots in town...
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185 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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