Established in 1784, these gardens compose the oldest city park in Milan, and have been repeatedly enlarged over the centuries. They were built in the style of French formal gardens by Giuseppe Piermarini, but the current layout, complete with water elements and stoney outcroppings, is owed to Emilio Alemagna for the 1871 World Fair. At the eastern entrance stands the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale (1888-1893) and the Planetario di Milano (1930); to the southwest you will find Villa Reale (now GAM) and Palazzo Dugnani (17th-18th century). The tree-lined pathways, punctuated by wooden benches, are frequented by joggers and prams out for a stroll, and in typical Milanese fashion, there is no shortage of dogs.
