Parabiago: Culture, Green Spaces and the Olona Green Way

Parabiago combines sites of cultural and historical interest with extensive green spaces and paths along the Olona. If you are looking for a place with museums, parks, local history and opportunities for walking or cycling during your trip to Italy, you will find a range of themes here for varied planning.

Culture and History in Parabiago

Since March 2023, the Museo della Fondazione Carla Musazzi has been located in the Salone delle Colonne of Villa Corvini at Via Santa Maria 27 in Parabiago. The exhibition includes a section on cabinetmaker Giuseppe Maggiolini, as well as objects and machines related to the city’s industrial history. The OFFICINA RANCILIO 1926 museum is owned by the Rancilio family. As a cultural space, it aims to present, preserve and enhance the company’s and the family’s historical heritage, collection and photographic archive.

Villa Corvini and its park have been protected under Law No. 1089 of 1936 by decree dated 7 April 1973. One staircase consists of two flights with an openwork stone balustrade decorated with floral motifs; it was built between 1700 and 1702. The present façade of the Church of Santi Gervasio e Protasio also reflects a historical transformation: it is not original, dates from 1780 and was designed by G. Piermarini.

Following the Battle of Parabiago in 1339, it was decided to build a church dedicated to Saint Ambrose at the site of the battle, in gratitude for the recorded miraculous rescue of Luchino Visconti. At the Crespi Bonsai Museum, guided tours for individuals or groups can be arranged by prior reservation.

Olona Green Way and Landscape

The Olona Green Way runs through San Vittore Olona, Legnano, Parabiago, Canegrate and Nerviano and can be explored on foot or by bicycle. The main section runs for approximately 10 km along the Olona River from Legnano to Nerviano. It mainly follows cycle paths and unpaved roads, and to a lesser extent ordinary roads. For your planning, both the approximate length and the route’s varying character are therefore relevant.

Parco dei Mulini is a local park of supramunicipal interest, recognized on 10 March 2008. It stretches along the Olona and the Canale Villoresi and covers Legnano, Canegrate, San Vittore Olona, Parabiago and, since 1 January 2011, Nerviano as well. Parco del Roccolo is also a local park of supramunicipal interest. It covers 1,810 hectares and extends across Arluno, Busto Garolfo, Canegrate, Casorezzo, Nerviano and Parabiago. Parco Corvini is a municipal park with abundant trees.

Local Products and the Ecomuseum

The Olona Green Way leads to places where local products are made. Along the route, you can taste or purchase them at farms, points of sale, restaurants and Spazio ZEROZERO.

The Ecomuseum routes are intended to help rediscover significant places in the city of Parabiago. As part of the community’s cultural heritage, these places preserve values that shape the identity of the local community. This allows nature, everyday history and local culture to be explored through different themes.

More Destinations

More destinations for planning your own trip: Pero, Varedo, San Giuliano Milanese, Cerro Maggiore, Santo Stefano Ticino, Limito Di Pioltello, Buccinasco, Cesano Maderno.

For the higher-level travel overview: Milan.