San Siro, Milan

Lore & Background

Until the 19th century, San Siro was a small settlement, on the banks of the Olona river; its centre was in the surroundings of what is now Piazzale Lotto. The area has been radically transformed in the 20th century. San Siro is a very diverse district, with wide green areas and cemented neighbourhoods, low-income and high-income housing, villas and apartment blocks. Most of the buildings in the area date back to the mid 20th century. The district is also characterized by prominent sports structures, most notably the Giuseppe Meazza football stadium, home of AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano. It also houses the most important Milanese hippodrome, as well as other horse racing-related structures. The Palasport di San Siro arena, mainly used for basketball and volleyball games, was also in this district; it was closed in 1985 when its roof collapsed after a large snowfall. The district is named after (probably) Siro di Pavia the first bishop of Pavia.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights had been on for twenty minutes when the first wave hit. A single voice in the Curva Sud started the old tune, and then a thousand voices swallowed it, the sound bouncing off the concrete tiers and rolling out over the pitch like a physical force. A young boy in the third row, azzurro scarf pulled tight around his neck, pressed his face to the barrier and felt the vibration in his teeth. Above him, the sky over Milan was the flat grey of a November evening, and the pitch below gleamed wet under the halogen glare. The referee's whistle cut through the roar, and for one breathless second the entire stadium—seventy-five thousand souls, Milan and Inter and every stray supporter who had made the journey—existed as a single, breathing, azzurro organism. Then the ball was kicked, and the noise came back, louder than before.

Reader's Guide

The district is located about 5 km north-west of Milan's city centre, within Zone 7. It borders Lampugnano, QT8, FieraMilano, and Trenno. Notable landmarks include the Giuseppe Meazza football stadium, the main Milanese hippodrome, and the former Palasport di San Siro arena (closed in 1985 after a roof collapse).

Did You Know?

• The district is named after (probably) Siro di Pavia, the first bishop of Pavia.
• The Palasport di San Siro arena closed in 1985 when its roof collapsed after a large snowfall.
• San Siro was a small settlement on the banks of the Olona river until the 19th century.