The park was constructed on the former site of the Sforza family’s hunting grounds and military parade fields.
The Torre Branca is one of the tallest structures in the city, offering views that can reach as far as the Alps on clear days.
The Arco della Pace, located at the northern exit, was commissioned by Napoleon and completed during the Austrian rule of Milan.
The park features the 'Ponte delle Sirenette', an iron bridge moved here from the Navigli canals in 1930.
The Triennale di Milano building, located inside the park, was designed by Giovanni Muzio specifically for exhibitions.
The park contains the Aquarium Civico, which is one of the oldest in Europe and features an Art Nouveau exterior.
The park's layout was designed to provide a continuous visual axis from the Castello Sforzesco to the Arco della Pace.
Several bronze sculptures, including works by Giorgio de Chirico, are permanently placed within the park's grounds.
Parco Sempione is a 38.6-hectare English-style landscape park situated behind Milan's Sforza Castle. Designed by Emilio Alemagna and inaugurated in 1893, the park features a deliberate design that creates scenic vistas connecting the Sforza Castle to the Arco della Pace. The grounds encompass the Torre Branca, a 108-meter steel observation tower built in 1933, and the Palazzo dell'Arte, home to the Triennale di Milano. A small artificial lake sits at the center, surrounded by varied arboreal species including oaks, elms, and horse chestnuts. The park serves as a primary urban green lung for central Milan, linking the historic district to the city's modern architecture. Pedestrian pathways are structured to facilitate both transit and recreation.
The bridge overlooking the central pond with the Sforza Castle in the background.
Visit the Torre Branca for an aerial perspective of the city layout.
Follow the central path from the castle to the arch to appreciate the original landscape design intent.
The park provides free public Wi-Fi zones for visitors.
Avoid walking through the park late at night as lighting is limited and safety levels decrease after dark.
The park is generally accessible daily, though specific interior park facilities like the library or towers have their own variable closing days.
Maintain noise levels near the library and museum areas; observe local signage regarding cycling restrictions on pedestrian-only paths.
