Fountains of Milan

Best Western Hotel City takes you on a discovery of Milan’s most evocative fountains, places of freshness and beauty in the heart of the city.

The fountain in Piazza Castello, in front of the Sforza Castle, is one of Milan’s most scenic spots, perfect for a summer stroll amidst history, water features, and photogenic views. With its circular shape and concentric basin from which a columnar waterfall gushes, this fountain resembles a wedding cake and has been affectionately nicknamed “Turta di spus” (wedding cake) by the Milanese.

In the contemporary Porta Nuova neighborhood, the fountain in Piazza Gae Aulenti exudes a modern and relaxed atmosphere: water reflections, modern architecture, and the surrounding skyline. With its three large circular infinity pools featuring water features and music, it’s a beloved destination on summer days and evenings.

In the CityLife neighborhood, in Piazza Giulio Cesare, the Fountain of the Four Seasons is one of the largest and most evocative. Built between 1927 and 1928 to mark the tenth anniversary of Italy’s victory in World War I, the complex features a large circular basin with four sculptural groups representing the seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The allegorical figures celebrate the relationship between humanity, nature, and the passage of time, in keeping with the monumental taste typical of the early twentieth century.

Small fountains scattered throughout the city, designed to refresh and quench passersby’s thirst during the hottest hours, are Milan’s famous “vedovelle” or “green dragons“. These green cast iron fountains, beloved by all Milanese, are recognizable by their small brass faucet in the shape of a dragon’s head, a symbol reminiscent of Visconti tradition. Their popular name, “vedovelle,” comes from the continuous flow of water, which flows without interruption and, in the Milanese imagination, evoked the weeping of a widow.

Among the most curious are those in the CityLife park, where the traditional dragon-shaped taps have been reinterpreted by artist Serena Vestrucci with new and original forms in the form of small works of art.

Thanks to the Lima Metro station, just a few minutes’ walk from Hotel City, you can easily reach these places and enjoy a refreshing break in the heart of Milan.