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Milan is a multifaceted city, where each neighborhood tells a different story. Besides the famous Navigli, Brera or Isola, there are areas less known to the general public that deserve to be explored.
Quarto Oggiaro represents one of these hidden treasures. This neighborhood, located on the northwestern outskirts of the Lombard metropolis, has experienced a complex past marked by social problems and crime. However, since the early 2000s, Quarto Oggiaro has embarked on a path of profound transformation. Today it presents itself as a revitalized urban area with a distinct personality and numerous attractions worth discovering.
This guide will take you through the peculiarities of a neighborhood that has managed to reinvent itself while keeping its authenticity intact.
Where Quarto Oggiaro is located and how to get there
Quarto Oggiaro is located in the northwest area of Milan, within Municipality 8. It borders the districts of Certosa, Villapizzone and Bovisa, and extends to the municipalities of Novate Milanese and Baranzate. Its strategic location makes it easily accessible from both the city center and neighboring municipalities.
The most convenient way to reach the neighborhood is to use the Milan Quarto Oggiaro railway station, served by the S1 (Milan-Saronno) and S3 (Milan-Saronno) suburban lines. The station is a crucial node for mobility in the neighborhood, with frequent trains connecting the area to downtown Milan in about 15 minutes.
For those who prefer buses, several ATM lines run through the neighborhood, providing efficient connections to the rest of the city.
Why is it called Quarto Oggiaro?
The name “Quarto Oggiaro” has ancient and fascinating origins. “Quarto” comes from the distance of four Roman miles from the center of Milan, while “Oggiaro” may come from the name of an ancient landowning family in the area. This name testifies to the long history of the neighborhood, which before being incorporated into the Milanese metropolis was an independent agricultural suburb characterized by farmsteads and cultivated land.
History of an urban renaissance
The modern history of Quarto Oggiaro began in the 1950s and 1960s, when the neighborhood was developed as a popular residential area to accommodate the wave of migration from southern Italy. Numerous public housing complexes were thus born, transforming the neighborhood into a “dormitory,” lacking adequate services and gathering spaces. This situation contributed to the emergence of social and crime problems that have marked the neighborhood’s image for decades.
Quarto Quarto today tells a different story. Since the early 2000s, the neighborhood has benefited from major urban redevelopment. Public housing has been renovated and in 2008 a pedestrian island was created on Via De Roberto, at the height of the church of Santa Lucia, creating a space for residents to socialize.
A particularly significant intervention involved the Cabassi quarry, located on the edge of the neighborhood along the Northern Railway. Closed in 1997, the area was completely redeveloped and transformed into Simoni Park, a green oasis of about 20,000 m².
The most significant work, however, was carried out in the southern part of the neighborhood, in the area of the former Fina refinery. The company EuroMilano, entrusting the project to British designer Diana Armstrong Bell, reclaimed an area of more than 450,000 m² between the late 1990s and early 2000s. The result is a new upscale residential neighborhood overlooking Eritrea Street with six 16-story towers. Almost half of the area, 200,000 m², has become Verga Park, the neighborhood’s green lung, which reaches from the railroad tracks to the houses as far as Via Chiasserini.
What to see: villas and parks
Villa Scheibler
Villa Scheibler represents one of the most precious architectural treasures of Quarto Oggiaro. This elegant historic mansion, originally the hunting lodge of Ludovico il Moro in the 15th century, is surrounded by a magnificent 32-acre park designed in the English style, with artificial hills and a striking panoramic arch. The park boasts an extraordinary biodiversity with as many as 76 different species of trees. The villa and its park have undergone careful restoration to preserve its historic charm.
Did you know that it is also possible to get married here? And it is also a perfect place to declare yourself!
Today the area has children’s play areas, dog areas and sports facilities, making it an ideal place to spend moments of relaxation and recreation outdoors.
Franco Verga Park
Franco Verga Park represents one of the most significant green spaces in Quarto Oggiaro. Created from the redevelopment of the former Fina refinery area, this 200,000 sq. m. park offers visitors a lush natural environment in the middle of the urban context. Equipped with bicycle paths, areas for outdoor activities and recreational spaces, the park has become a landmark for lovers of the outdoors. The large, well-maintained green areas make it perfect for picnics, jogs, or simply a relaxing stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Classic and modern-designed churches
Quarto Oggiaro’s religious heritage constitutes a key aspect of the neighborhood’s cultural identity.
Among the most significant sacred buildings is the Church of Saints Nazario and Celso, at 33 Via Aldini. Built in 1780, this church is a remarkable example of 18th-century religious architecture.
In contrast, the Church of Santa Lucia, at 20 Via De Roberto, is a more recent building, dating from 1961, characterized by a modern design.
Completing the religious landscape of the neighborhood are the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Church of Pentecost, each with its own architectural and artistic peculiarities.
These places of worship are not only spiritual centers, but also important landmarks for the local community and evidence of the historical and social evolution of Quarto Oggiaro.
Street art: discovering beautiful murals
In recent years, Quarto Oggiaro has embraced urban art as a tool for regeneration and social dialogue.
Among the most significant projects is the mural created by artist PAO, which stretches a full 20 meters on the facade of an Aler building. The work, entitled “We are all on the same branch,” depicts three birds symbolizing unity and diversity, sending a powerful message of social cohesion.
Where: 12 Via Carlo Amoretti, 20157 Milan.
Another notable example is the mural on Via Cesare Pascarella, created by the Orticanoodles collective.
This 300-square-meter floral work, spanning nine floors of a building, is a tribute to the women of the suburbs. More than 50 liters of paint and 100 stencil matrices were used to create it, requiring 50 hours of work. The project, part of Milan’s suburban redevelopment program, was made possible thanks to the collaboration of Metropolitana Milanese and City Hall 8.
Where: Via Cesare Pascarella, 2, 20157 Milan.
More recent urban art projects in Quarto are the beautiful murals against violence against women, created by Chiara Loca:
These artistic interventions are not mere decorations, but real tools of urban transformation that have helped change the perception of the neighborhood. Street art in Quarto Oggiaro can be found just about everywhere and has transformed anonymous public spaces into real open-air galleries, creating new points of interest and stimulating the involvement of the local community in redevelopment processes.
The Quarto Library
The Quarto Oggiaro public library represents a fundamental cultural stronghold for the neighborhood. In addition to its traditional function of book lending, this space has evolved into a true center of social and cultural aggregation. The library regularly hosts events, book presentations, creative workshops and activities for children and youth, playing a crucial role in the education and continuing education of the local community. Thanks to its cozy spaces and rich cultural programming, the Quarto Oggiaro library has become a focal point for residents of all ages.
You can check out all upcoming events here.
Where to eat
Garden Restaurant
If you are in Quarto Oggiaro and you get hungry, we recommend you try the Garden Restaurant. It has a multifaceted culinary offer, the kitchen in fact offers excellent dishes of both fish (try the spaghetti allo scoglio or the risotto with lobster, you will not regret it!) and meat, as well as an excellent selection of pizzas. Particularly popular is the beer list, which is carefully curated to offer perfect pairings with each dish. Fast and friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel at ease. Friday evenings are enlivened by karaoke.
Address: Via Sabatino Lopez, 9, 20157 Milan.
Pizzeria Santa Lucia
Pizzeria Santa Lucia is an institution for take-out pizza lovers in the neighborhood, so if you’re in the area take advantage of it. After 12 years, the staff is unchanged, a sign of a management that has been able to win the loyalty of residents. The restaurant, though small in size, wins you over with its low, thin-edged pizza, prepared with a light dough and select ingredients. Low prices and quick take-out service make it a landmark for those who want to enjoy great pizza without excessive waiting.
Address: 12 Via Nicola Fabrizi, 20157 Milan, Italy.
Pastry Shop Gelateria Delizia
Fancy a sweet treat during your tour of discovery in Quarto? Inside the enclosed district market you will find this pastry shop that offers high quality products at affordable prices, proving that excellence does not have to be expensive. Their pastries, made with fresh and selected ingredients, range from freshly filled brioche to fine pastries and handcrafted doves that attract customers from other neighborhoods during the holidays. The cakes are their crowning achievement.
Address: Via Fratelli Antona Traversi, 19, 20157 Milan.
Mirtillo’s Bar Coffee
A versatile landmark for everyday life in Quarto Oggiaro. Go there for breakfast and try their coffee accompanied by a rich selection of baked goods, including Oreo saccottini, stuffed brioche and the original charcoal croissant. Also a great option for lunchtime, in fact here you will find flatbreads, piadinas, pizza, flatbreads and even salads for those looking for a lighter option. The aperitifs are also good, with proposals ranging from classic Spritz to more original creations elaborated by the barman.
Address: Angolo, Via Michele Lessona, 20157 Milan.
So, have we convinced you to take a trip to Quarto Oggiaro?
This neighborhood today represents a virtuous example of how a city area can reinvent itself, overcoming stereotypes and difficulties. Its redevelopment, combined with its cultural richness, green spaces and gastronomic offerings, makes it an interesting destination for those who want to discover an authentic and evolving Milan.