The romantic face of Milan province: a weekend in Nerviano

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A work commitment by the parties in Milan during a weekend winter may not seem like the best of the proposals, but with a little 'fantasy we were able to turn it into a short but pleasant stay out of town. Instead of plunging in the smog of the city, we decided to stop at a historic inn in one of the municipalities of the province, in Nerviano. Milan was less than half an hour, so we could spend the rest of the time on long walks.
We settled down at the elegant rooms of the Locanda Villoresi, and we went out to explore this town with Roman origins, as demonstrated by the suffix of his name. One of our friends, who had been informed before leaving, he told the bench that had inspired the comic Ale & Franz, could be somewhere in Nerviano, or in the surrounding parks, as Ale, born Alessandro Besentini lies right here since childhood.
Among the attractions of Nerviano there are two major parks: the Roccolo Park, which takes its name from a building that once used the bird, and the Mills Park, along the banks of the river Olona, ??which is a natural expansion of Legnano Castle Park and goes through several towns in the area.
Walking in the center and discover the wealth of art and architecture of the town, thanks to the presence of several ancient religious monuments. One such is the Abbey of Colorina shrine, rebuilt in 1656, on the ruins of the ancient church of 1398. The name Colorina would remember the times when the sick from cholera here praying, seeking relief and healing, thanks to an underground stream, now dry, which ran through the church and in which were plunged the sick. Inside the shrine is guarded also an organ of 1795, manufactured by the famous family of organ builders, the Prestinari Corbetta. The Virgin Mary venerated at the shrine is considered the patron saint of lovers, and still are many couples who choose to celebrate their wedding in front of his portrait.
The religious history of Nerviano has another important witness in the Olivetan Monastery, built in 1468 by Count Ugolino Crivelli. The monastery was closed by Napoleon in 1798 and today the building, around which we admired the cloister, the town hall. Wandering the streets of Nerviano we also visited the construction of Lazzaretto and Rotondina, an old country chapel.
Going back to our accommodation, we also found that the Antica Locanda del Villoresi is a mine of historical trivia: "This is an old nineteenth century stone and brick building that, until about a century ago it was a coaching inn, which is a place where the carriages of the noble Milanese stopped during their journey to the resorts on the lakes. Then, for a period even worked here a house of appointments, "he says Carmine Mr. Tree, the proprietor. "What you see today is the result of a long and careful restoration, with which we were able to create a lovely hotel, while maintaining the traditional architectural style of the Lombard once." The Restaurant of the restaurant is known for its excellent seafood and prepare for the care with which everything in the house, from bread to desserts. We start our meal with the crispy squid with potatoes and olives, and baked scallops, tender, with three flavors: green sauce, red pesto sun-dried tomatoes and almonds, and cucumber sauce. The choice of the first we divide between a risotto with shrimp and chives served in a parmesan basket, the sweet fresh pasta with porcini mushrooms and cheese fondue and noodles to the Langhe Crotin Giancarlo with shrimp, saffron and artichoke hearts. As for the second, we choose the piece of the restaurant, or fried fish. It 'a classic dish, but that stands out for special thanks to the skillful way in which it is prepared, or a fry light, very dry and crisp, which gives no sense of heaviness. A friend chooses to enjoy a beautiful elephant ear, the traditional veal cutlet, made in ghee, according to tradition. Washed down with fine wines chosen from many national brands, Franciacorta, Trentino and Veneto. Our dinner ended with the delicious homemade desserts, another pride of the place. Take a pistachio parfait with crispy rice cereal to chocolate, puff pastry, an apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream, also homemade, with real vanilla.
More than gray weekend in Milan: Nerviano we were very good, and there will definitely be back at the first opportunity.

Frances Bertha

FOR INFORMATION:

www.comune.Nerviano.mi.it
www.locandavilloresi.it
Antica Locanda Del Villoresi
SS 33 Sempione, 4 Nerviano (MI)
0331/559450