Rocca Brivio is a noble country palace, near the river Lambro, in the territory of San Giuliano Milanese. From the Middle Ages a castle stood on the site, in a commanding position, guarding the road from Milan to Lodi. In the sixteenth century the castle became the property of the marquises Brivio; around 1680 Luigi Brivio had it pulled down and built the palace in its final form on its foundations. The name «rocca» has remained, the defensive function has not.
What to see
The rocca stands in open countryside, on a small rise overlooking the Lambro valley. The plan is L-shaped: the longer side, with the entrance doorway at its centre, faces west, the shorter one north.
The outer façades, severe in appearance, are of exposed brick, and it is the bricks themselves, by projecting, that draw the decoration: window surrounds, rusticated pilasters, mouldings, with a strong effect of light and shade. The interiors, except for the chapel, have no decoration.
Visiting
Openings and the possibility of visiting should be checked with the town of San Giuliano Milanese.
Our editors' tip
If you manage to go in, look at the courtyard: the two sides of the building make it a porticoed space, closed on the east by a loggia of three arches and open on the south towards the garden. At the north-west corner is the family chapel, the only decorated room.
