Merry Hanukkah in Milano!

The kindling of the lights of the nine-branched Menorah in piazza Cadorna, on the first day of Jewish holiday Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights.

On the background, the colourful sculpure Needle, Thread and Knot, by Claes Oldenburg, a homage to the Fashion Capital Milano.

Past and present "starchitects"

The 52nd edition of Milano Design Week has just closed, but some events of the FuoriSalone 2013 continue. One of the most spectacular is Hybrid Architecture & Design, an exhibition held inside the courtyards and halls of the State University, the so-called Ca' Granda ("Big House").
Hybrid, which will close on April 21st, involves internationally acclaimed architects and designers, who have created site-specific works.
While visiting the exhibition, don't forget to look at the "container" sorrounding the installations. The ancient building, which today hosts the State University, is in fact the largest community hospital of the Renaissance. It was commissioned by the duke Francesco Sforza and designed by the "starchitect" of the time, Antonio Filarete (whose name is also connected with the Sforza Castle).
If you want to know all the secrets of the Ca' Granda, join our guided tour "The plague", every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurday at 9.30 am. No booking is required: just be at the meeting point in piazza Fontana, next to the fountain.
The building, which was heavily damaged during the Second World War, has been rebuilt so as to maintain its primitive structure, which reflects the innovations of Filarete. Centuries before "hygiene" became standard practice, the Florentine architect enriched his projects with amazing details that will surprise you.

Art patrons in via Jan

From 1927, when they got married, to the end of the Eighties, Antonio Boschi and Marieda Di Stefano spent their life collecting works of art in their elegant apartment on via Giorgio Jan 15.
They were mainly interested in modern art, and became friendly with promising young Italian artists, many of whom were living in poverty and were literally fed by Antonio and Marieda. Some of them would become the great masters of the 20th Century.

Collectors are often victims to their hobby, and the golden couple was no exception. In 1975, when Antonio donated to the city of Milano his apartment and all its content, the collection included more than two thousands works. Now a selection of over two hundred pieces is on display, yet every wall in every room in the house is literally covered with paintings.
The Boschi Di Stefano museum-home still resonates with the laughters and chats and music played in the vast living room, where visitors may sit in the comfortable sofas and lose themselves in the simphony of colours that fills the air.

Enjoy!
Back to corso Buenos Aires, walk towards piazza Loreto, then turn right in via Spontini. There you will find Pizzeria Spontini. If you like pizza soft yet crispy, covered with thick layers of mozzarella, that's the place to be. Only two options are available: normal, and big. No frills, here. All substance. Good substance.