Local: Derin CantürkI made my move to Porta Venezia back in 2013 when I came over from Istanbul for my architecture degree. After a brief hiatus in 2016, I found myself drawn back to this neighborhood from another corner of the city in 2017. Porta Venezia, translating to "Venice Gate" in Italian, takes its name from a historic gate at the heart of the neighborhood. For me, the real pulse of Porta Venezia beats around the crossroads of Via Melzo and Via Malpighi, where many of my favorite spots cluster.Buildings from the early 1900s like Casa Galimberti, Casa Guazzoni, Casa Cambiaghi, and Casa Balzarini, all flaunting the Liberty or Italian Art Nouveau style, never fail to captivate me. The grand entrance halls of Milan's apartment blocks, hidden behind majestic doors, remain among the architectural elements that catch my eye in daily life, continuously offering surprises.As for the neighborhood vibe... It's a vibrant mix, hosting diverse communities. The busier, commercial northern part is home to African communities, predominantly Eritreans, and LGBTQIA+ communities, while the quieter, residential south is where you'll find Italians and expats like myself. Although these groups lead fairly separate lives, they come together in the evenings, especially around Via Lecco, connecting through shared spaces and bars for some fun. Their most common ground seems to be the commercial and social interactions fostered by local businesses and shops.The impact of local venues and markets on the neighborhood's economy, culture, social fabric, and sense of community is significant. Several days a week, local markets spring up on different streets, transforming them into public platforms where especially the elderly can socialize and buy fresh produce, with the streets closed to traffic on market days. Like anywhere in Italy, catching up with the barista over a coffee at the bar counter in the mornings and after lunch is a staple routine. The pre-dinner aperitivo hour is also an integral part of life in the city and the neighborhood.Green spaces and parks play a crucial role in the daily lives of residents with pets and children. The Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli, also known as the Porta Venezia Gardens, is Milan's first and second-largest city park, serving as a vital green escape for me and others living here.It's not just a local observation, but I'd say Milan's venues traditionally had a weak connection to the street. However, in recent years, especially with the pandemic's impact and subsequent new city regulations, we've seen many venues extending outwards. This shift has undoubtedly strengthened their connection with the external.For the curious: Take a stroll through Milan's entryways with Karl Kolbitz's "<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.taschen.com/en/books/architecture-design/05321/entryways-of-milan-ingressi-di-milano" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Entryways of Milan</a>", published by Taschen.

Melzo ile ilgili hikayeler