About 20 kilometers from Milan lies the delightful Parabiago, a town of about 28,000 inhabitants and nicknamed the “City of Footwear”, thanks to the numerous industries that originated in its territory.
Continuing to read, you will soon discover what to see in Parabiago, a place that has become the leading shoe center in Northern Italy, known all over the world.
I must tell you that since the 1960s, when industrialization began to reach the area, small footwear manufacturers turned into true industries… Large and medium-sized companies, chemical plants and metalworks began to attract a lot of manpower from the South, increasing Parabiago’s population.
That the fate of this city was to become an important center in the footwear industry, is curiously represented by its coat of arms … do you want to know why?
On it there is a rooster perched at the foot of a tall tree, that seems to want to wake up the workers and encourage them to achieve ever greater success.
The 5 most interesting things to see in Parabiago
If you should decide to visit Italy, I strongly suggest you visit Parabiago and admire the monuments and interesting places that tell its story.
Are you ready? Good then lets see what to discover in Parabiago with the first stop, an absolute must: the Church of the most holy Gervaso and Protaso.
1. Church of the most holy Gervaso and Protaso
The building of the Church of the Most Holy Gervaso and Protaso seems to date back to the 13th century, but in 1610 it was rebuilt by order of Carlo Borromeo and the works entrusted to one of the most illustrious architects of that period.
Visiting its interior, you cannot help but admire works such as:
- Capitals decorated with olive leaves and modillions
- The precious sculpture in scagliola of the Baptism of Christ
- The two statues depicting the Madonna and the Saints Gervaso and Protaso
During the expansion of the apses, the foundations of an ancient chorus belonging to the medieval era were also discovered.
2. Ecomuseum of the Parabiago landscape
Another interesting thing I want to highlight is the Ecomuseum of the Parabiago Landscape, set up in 2008. But I will tell you more … this project was conceived as a cultural itinerary aimed at rediscovering the heritage of this city.
And it’s not over … thanks to a real interactive map, you can learn more about the historical-cultural profile of this place thanks to the web and the latest generation smartphones.
3. Corvini Palace or Villa
Another place to visit is without doubt Palazzo Corvini, a building dating back to the sixteenth century, with a wonderful park, it is also the birth place of the painter Giovanni Corvino.
Renovated in the nineties, this palace, or villa, today has become the location of temporary exhibitions and a service center.
4. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of God the Sà
And I could not forget to mention among the most beautiful and interesting things to see in Parabiago, the Sanctuary of our Lady of God, the Sà, located right on the border with the municipality of Nerviano.
Do you want to know a curiosity about this place dating back to the 15th century and declared a national monument for over a hundred years? Well … the sanctuary with the cemetery and the little lazzaretto, although located in the municipality of Parabiago, depends on the parish of the nearby Nerviano.
5. Roccolo Park
A dive into nature even when you are visiting magnificent places like Parabiago is always an experience, not only to relax, but also to see for yourself all the treasures it can offer.
After this introduction, I want to point out the Park of Roccolo, an immense green area that extends between this village and other neighboring towns.
In the park you will be able to choose one of the wonderful nature trails and enjoy hours of pure relaxation, crossing meadows, cultivated fields and forests:
- Roccolo Itinerary
- Canale di Villoresi Itinerary
- Bosco di Arluno Itinerary
You will literally be transported to a magical world where only the quiet and unmistakable scent of the surrounding nature reigns.
Other useful information about things you shouldn’t miss in Parabiago
Before concluding this article on what to see in Parabiago, I would like to point out some interesting details that, in my opinion, you should not miss.
The municipality has some public parks where you can relax between visits, but you should absolutely not miss the typical Parabiagan cuisine.
In addition to the cassoeula, you should also try rosumada parabiaghesa, a special local dessert prepared with whipped eggs, sugar and rhum or grappa.
Among the events scheduled at Parabiago during this period, there is the San Michele Festival with a local fair held on the last Monday of September and the Artisan Tour of Taste, scheduled from 30 September to 1 October.
