Guided Tour of the Monumental Cemetery

1 hour 30 minutes

The Monumental Cemetery of Milan is by no means a gloomy and sad place as one might believe; on the contrary, it has a very special charm thanks to the sculptures, the architectural works and natural environment that create a magical and timeless atmosphere.

Considered to be a true open-air museum, once you head inside you will be amazed by the beauty of this corner of Milan, where art and peace coincide. One of Europe’s top monumental cemeteries for its artistic value.

It is a fundamental place in the history of the city of Milan. In fact, an edict issued by Napoleon ordered that burials should be performed in places outside the city walls for hygienic and sanitary reasons. Following the example of other European cities, such as Paris and London, the Monumental Cemetery of Milan was designed by architect Carlo Maciachini and opened in 1866.

It was initially conceived to be the main city’s cemetery: a place devoted to the eternal resting of all Milanese people, regardless of class or religion. Indeed, in this cemetery there is a vast area dedicated to Israelites and non-Catholics.

Soon the Monumentale became an elitist place where only very rich and distinguished people could afford to be buried.

The first thing we see when we arrive is the imposing façade that opens onto the square and, on its sides, statues of various kinds, from Gothic to medieval styles. Once we enter the graveyard, we find the most important places along the central visual axis, i.e. the Famedio, the ossuary, and the Cinerary Temple.

During your hour-and-a-half guided tour, you will hear the stories of Milan’s most important families, representing the city’s society and the passing of time.

Did you know that the Campari family built a tomb reproducing Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper?

The Monumental Cemetery will fascinate you, thanks to the presence of funerary monuments linked to important names of the past. This is the right place to discover the events that took place in the past, and also to become aware, thanks to the beauty of its many tombs, that life goes beyond death thanks to the memory of the deceased: a true hymn to life.

Get ready to discover one of Milan’s most surprising sights!

What to expect:

A city within a city

The Monumental Cemetery is imposing and immense: its total area cover 250,000 square metres! ⁣
You will meet your guide in front of the main entrance.
The tour includes a visit to the main building of the cemetery, the so-called Famedio or “Temple of Fame”, a kind of Pantheon where the most famous personalities of the city are buried: people that were born in Milan as well as those adopted by the city, and those who have contributed to make the history of the city. From here, you will take a walk along the central avenue that divides the cemetery into two symmetrical parts, discovering the ossuary and the necropolis, and finally reaching the Cinerary Temple. It is an ideal place for a pleasant stroll, discovering surprising avenues, promenades and hidden corners. Sometimes, the best way to discover the unexpected is to get lost.

Famous families and personalities

In order to aspire to eternal fame, your life needs to be spotless, virtuous and extraordinary. The best-known Milanese families are all here. Just a few names: Campari, Treccani, Branca, Falk, Visconti, and Riva.
Inside the Famedio, the pantheon of celebrities, the tomb of Alessandro Manzoni dominates the scene, together with the two monumental tombs of Carlo Cattaneo and Giuseppe Verdi. Some of the most distinguished personalities include: Arturo Toscanini, Salvatore Quasimodo, Giuseppe Meazza, Giorgio Gaber, Walter Chiari, Alberto Ascari, Carlo Cattaneo and Carla Fracci.

Artists and Architectsi

Curiously, the city’s most prestigious families competed among each other to built the most astonishing tombs, by assigning the design to some of the most in vogue artists and architects. There was also a competition to have the tallest aedicule, as well as the most beautiful one. It became a unique opportunity for artists and architects to gain visibility in a completely new and definitely unusual place. An open-air museum that boasted the signatures of famous artists such as Lucio Fontana, Giannino Castiglioni, Medardo Rosso, Adolfo Wildt, the Scapigliati, and many others.