A Stroll Through Orto Botanica di Brera

The Orto Botanico di Brera is housed within Brera Palace, a space devoted to the preservation of culture.

The 5,000 square meters house a wide range of events from celebrations of the summer solstice to botanical painting courses– but of course, are also open (and free!) to anyone who might just want to enjoy taking in some beautiful sights.

Bright hydrangeas accent the space, drawing attention among the various shades of green. The garden is historic, and preserves unusual heritage varieties.

The garden is roughly organized according to type of plant– for example, medicinal plants are grouped together, as are vegetables, salvias, and peonies, respectively– to make it easier for visitors on self-guided tours. There is even a tour designed for those with visual impairments.

With sculptures dotting the space, the garden is a lovely place to take in both artistic and natural beauty and it isn’t uncommon to see visitors reading, writing, and drawing.

With signs posted in English and Italian, the botanical garden is the perfect stop for anyone in town who needs a moment of green peace. While the garden can be a little hard to find, tucked away in the center of Milan, it’s well worth the effort.