In the most important town representing fashion, design and the former host of EXPO 2015, there are still surviving small corners that, like time portals, disclose passages to an ancient and forgotten Milano to the voyagers.
In a corner of Naviglio Grande, not far from a restaurant where my belly has been filled multiple times, the historical Vico houses present an almost unchanged original centrifuge about a century.
Among the dazed looks of visitors I remember that I was seated on the edge of an ancient washbasin, taking off my shoes and refreshing my feet in the water, imagining washermen reclined and committed to washing clothes in the river.
From this site you can only see a stone wall identifying the actual restaurant "El Brellin", where inside you'll find fascinating remnants of those times. Reading some articles I also learned that "Vico" is dedicated to washermen and not laundresses because it was men and not women who performed this job. They were so well organized and important that they had their own association.
Interesting notice.
vico dei lavandai
€
no-price
Explore Milan like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Milan guide.
"Circolo Magnolia" is one of Milan's best music entertainment venues. It's home to some of the best music festivals and you can relax under the trees...
By
"Conca dell'Incoronata" is an ancient water basin in Milan, one of its most unique corners. I always fantasize about what might have been here...
By
"10 Corso Como" in Milan is an essential art space with an elegant garden cafe & a sophisticated concept store. It's why it's worth checking open gates!
By
"Bar Picchio" is a down-to-earth, unpretentious tobacco bar in one of my favorite areas in Milan; this low-priced, friendly bar reminds me of the '80s...
By
"Hangar Bicocca" in Milan is an exposition site in an a former industrial hangar. It's the perfect place to see the world from a different perspective...
By
"La Belle Alliance" is my comfort pub in Milan, a true temple for beer lovers. Whenever somebody's visiting me, I simply take them there...
By
"NUN" in Milan is the perfect street food deli to have a quick kebab. It has been serving gourmet wraps in a neat atmosphere since 2013!
By
"Via Lincoln" and the area around it is Milan's very own Notting Hill! Not only that -- there's a little bit of Venice and Liguria in this garden district.
By
"La Gravina" is one of the best pizza restaurants in South Milan. It has Apulian spirit, the best panzerotti & pucce, and you have to try their specialty.
By
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!
By
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.
By
185 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 185 Insider Tips from our local Spotters