Cimitero Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery)

An extraordinary open-air museum of sculpture and architecture

The Cimitero Monumentale is one of Milan's most unexpected treasures: a vast open-air museum featuring an extraordinary collection of tombs, mausoleums, and sculptures spanning from the mid-19th century to the present day. Opened in 1866, the cemetery was designed by architect Carlo Maciachini in an eclectic style blending Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine elements.

The entrance is dominated by the Famedio, an imposing hall of fame where some of Italy's greatest personalities are buried or commemorated, including novelist Alessandro Manzoni, composer Giuseppe Verdi, and Nobel Prize-winning poet Salvatore Quasimodo.

Walking through the grounds is like exploring an open-air gallery of Italian art. The tombs feature works by renowned sculptors including Adolfo Wildt, Lucio Fontana, and Giò Pomodoro. Each monument tells a story — of prominent Milanese families, industrialists, artists, and ordinary citizens — through architectural styles ranging from Art Nouveau to contemporary minimalism.

Admission is free, and guided tours are available for those wishing to discover the stories behind the most significant monuments.

Walking distance from Lancaster Hotel: approximately 15 minutes (800m), an easy walk through the Porta Volta neighbourhood.