The Parco agricolo Sud Milano is a protected area of Lombardy forming a wide arc between Milan's southern districts and some sixty municipalities of the metropolitan city, including Rozzano. It was set up on 23 April 1990 to protect the farming economy of the area south of Milan and to defend its environment and landscape. It covers about 47 thousand hectares and links the Ticino Park, to the west, with the Adda Park, to the east. Since 23 September 2025 it has been run by a dedicated body, which took over from the Metropolitan City.
What to see
The landscape is that of the well-watered Po plain, farmed since the medieval land reclamations: it is crossed by the Adda and the Lambro, the Vettabbia, the Muzza and the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese, and protected areas have been created in the spring-fed zones. More than 1400 farms work in the park, mainly raising cattle and pigs; cereals, rice and meadows are grown. The woods include those of Cusago, Riazzolo and Carengione, the nature reserves that of Lacchiarella.
Within the park's boundaries are the abbeys of Chiaravalle, Mirasole and Viboldone, the castles of Binasco, Cusago, Melegnano and Cassino Scanasio, the last of these in Rozzano, and many fortified farmsteads. The wildlife includes grey herons, little egrets, night herons, white storks and kingfishers, as well as foxes, badgers and hares.
Visiting
The park is not a fenced garden but an inhabited, cultivated farming area, which also takes in some of the parks in Milan's green belt. Information and itineraries should be sought on the official website.
Our editors' tip
Look for the marcite, fields irrigated with the water that rises from springs in the ground: 41 have been counted in the park, all placed under protection.
