Discover Settala: Springs, Nature and Culture

Settala lies in a landscape where spring areas, lowland forests and an agricultural heritage stand closely side by side. Sorgenti della Muzzetta and Fontanile Rile shape the area’s connection with nature, while Cascina Castello offers a glimpse into the farming past of the lower Lombard plain. Parks, palaces, a castle, a museum and natural arches extend the local points of interest in the nearby and wider surroundings. The diversity ranges from the protected spring complex to the path between Conterico and Settala.

Springs and Protected Landscapes

The Sorgenti della Muzzetta Nature Reserve is located within the municipalities of Rodano and Settala, in the eastern part of the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano. The Lombardy Region established it in 1984. The protected feature is the spring complex from which the Muzzetta originates. The area encompasses several typical lowland landscapes and has also been included on the list of Sites of Community Importance. The protected area extends beyond the municipality of Settala to Rodano. Rodano and Settala share the geographical connection to Sorgenti della Muzzetta.

Fontanile Rile in Settala consists of three active spring heads surrounded by a well-preserved remnant of planar lowland forest. By resolution no. 8/10833 of the Regional Government dated 16 December 2009, Fontanile Rile was designated a “Zona a monumento naturale” (natural monument area). In addition to the springs, Fontanile Rile also includes the preserved remnant of forest.

Cascina Castello and Rural History

Cascina Castello probably originated in the 14th century as a fortified agricultural complex. Since 2007, it has housed the Centro Etnografico e Storico-Agricolo delle Arti e Tradizioni contadine. The centre explains the farming culture of the lower Lombard plain up to the mid-20th century. The centre’s historical period therefore extends considerably beyond the probable time when the complex was built. Its agricultural function forms part of the original classification of the site, while the centre deals with the later farming culture of the plain.

The Cascina Imperiale palace, Palazzo Uffici and Castello Mediceo are also located in the vicinity of Settala. The Muba Museo dei Bambini Milano museum is likewise situated near Settala. These buildings and the museum are not considered part of the grounds of Cascina Castello, but remain associated with the area around Settala.

Parks, Arches and Regional Connections

Besozza Park is located in the immediate vicinity of Settala, while Parco delle Cascine is located in the surrounding area of Settala. In the wider regional area are the natural arches Porta Garibaldi and Arco della Pace.

A historically and scenically significant path connects Conterico and Settala. It passes close to the Marcita and the rural building complex of Cascina Cassinetta. The Marcita and Cascina Cassinetta are located near the path and complement its connection between Conterico and Settala with specific rural points of reference.

Other places: Corbetta, Mediglia, Peschiera Borromeo, Basiano, Biassono, Carpiano, Moncucco, Varedo.

More about the region: Milan.