We saw what I wanted to look at this visit to Milan so we went to an area we have never seen, Navigli, where a system of canals were constructed starting in the middle ages. Today it is a residential area popular for its restaurants and bars.

We walked and saw some interesting sights. Called “Colonne di San Lorenzo” (Columns of St. Lawrence), these are one of the few remains of the Roman “Mediolanum” (Roman Milan), dating from the 3rd century AD. The columns probably belonged to the large baths built by the emperor Maximilian. They were moved to their current place when the basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore was built.

San Lorenzo Maggiore is currently under restoration.

Nearby is the Porto Ticinese.

It marks the start of the Navigli neighbourhood.

Some locks on the canals.

This is the view that is usually shown of Navigli.

We strolled down the sunnyside to find a restaurant for lunch.

All kinds of boats on the canals.

Cavolo nero zuppa

Sardines, pine nuts, raisins and cauliflower spaghettone

After lunch we paused for a sketch at the Columns of San Lorenzo.

Went to the rooftop bar on the 7th floor of the Rinascente department store.

Dinner was at Cracco in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

Never seen the wine cork given its own container.

The restaurant has a Michelin star and like those kinds of restaurants they serve dishes we didn’t order like this starter called Russian salad, potato, carrots, mayonnaise-like sauce in a crunchy, sweet shell.

Zafferano (saffron) risotto with bone marrow, curried rabbit with carrot and ginger

Lamb bites and melanzana (egg plant)

Pork snout with bell pepper