I luoghi della 1000 Miglia 2023 – LEG 4

LEG 4 – FRIDAY 16 JUNE

Stradella, Pavia, Alessandria, Asti, Vercelli, Novara, Milano

On the fourth leg, after passing through Stradella and Pavia, the Race reached Piedmont with lunch in Alessandria, then Asti and Vercelli and, via Novara, it headed to downtown Milan, which hosted the last night of the Race.

Pavia

The 1000 Miglia in the heart of Oltrepò wisdom

In the city where every place becomes a tale, 1000 Miglia told its own story. The fourth leg of the Race, that took place on Friday 16th June, passed through Pavia. The city University was attended by personalities such as Ugo Foscolo and Alessandro Volta, and Federico Barbarossa was crowned king of Italy in the Basilica. The crews arrived in Pavia for the Time Control along the Strada Nuova as far as Ponte Coperto.

Alessandria

A passion for motor racing that comes from afar

Alessandria is a place of passion for motor racing. One of these is the current Gran Prix-Circuito Bordino named after the great driver: a historic track that has seen the greatest driving aces of the era, from Achille Varzi to Tazio Nuvolari to Enzo Ferrari. The City has extraordinary places to fall in love with: those that made Napoleon and the Battle of Marengo a legend, for example. Places that know how to be welcoming with the grandeur of the Cittadella, the futuristic Meier Bridge, the great architecture of the Gardella family and the quality of its cultural and literary offerings: Umberto Eco was an illustrious citizen of Alessandria. Within the town, you can enjoy the charm of its many museums and pause in front of the beauty of its historical Botteghe (workshops), savouring the goodness of its food and wine and its pastry shops; lose yourself among fascinating collections and stately streets and – outside the town centre – experience the landscapes of its vast area and Monferrato, a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Asti

After 75 years, 1000 Miglia returned to the city of truffles and Barbera

On 18 May 1895, with the Turin-Asti-Turin race, Italian automobile history began. Over the years, racing continued on the roads of Monferrato. Time trials, regularity races and city circuits thrilled the people of Asti. On 22 June 1947, the Mille Miglia passed through. The leg passed through Asti coming from Piacenza and headed for Turin. It was remembered for the bad weather. In fact, there were 155 at the start and only 55 saw the chequered flag at the finish line in Brescia. Clemente Biondetti won in an Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B coupé Touring ahead of Tazio Nuvolari in a Cisitalia 202 SMM spider. He would also return in ’48 and Biondetti would win again, but at the wheel of the Ferrari 166 S coupé Allemano. 75 years later, the cars returned to the capital of the Monferrato region in an exclusive défilé through the streets of the historic centre of Asti, rediscovering the city known throughout the world for its top quality wine and gastronomy. From the fragrant white truffle to agnolotti pasta accompanied by Barbera; from the rich boiled meats enhanced by ‘bagnetti’ and ‘bagna caôda’; from ‘bönet’ to fragrant amaretti biscuits drowned in an aromatic goblet of Asti Spumante and all those typical recipes of a city where good eating and good drinking are one with its rich centuries-old history.

Vercelli

The 1000 Miglia in the European rice capital

Vercelli is a city of discreet charm, known for its rice, so much so that it is called “the European rice capital”, but it is also a city of art and culture, one of the most interesting cities in Piedmont, rich in treasures and artistic masterpieces. First and foremost, the Abbey of Sant’Andrea, a masterpiece of Gothic-Romanesque architecture that has been the symbol of the city for more than eight hundred years. Then there is the Church of St Christopher with its precious Gaudenzi frescoes and the imposing Cathedral. Vercelli’s priceless museum heritage also includes the Francesco Borgogna House Museum, the historic Leone Museum and the small and unique Archaeological Museum. Inside the former Church of San Marco, in the central nave, is “Arca”, an innovative museum container, a very modern structure in glass and steel, capable of hosting international exhibitions. The Synagogue, inaugurated in 1878 and located in the centre of the former Jewish ghetto, is also of great value. The building is among the most striking in Italy and is one of the most significant examples of Moorish style from the second half of the 19th century. The historical centre is a real jewel, studded with noble palazzos and medieval towers, such as the Torre dell’Angelo that can be admired from the true heart of the city, Piazza Cavour, which becomes the ideal place to experience the most typical products of the area’s gastronomy, including Panissa, traditional risotto, Bicciolano biscuit and truffle cake.

Novara

The 1000 Miglia in the City of the Antonellian Dome

Novara is a city rich in tradition, history, and masterpieces of art, created little by little, in a succession of stratifications and influences, that have made it a lively cultural centre, an ideal stop for a visit throughout the year. The true soul of the city emerges in its historic centre, which revolves around the Basilica of San Gaudenzio and that daring structure that dominates everything and which everyone looks up to: the Dome, designed and built during the 19th century by Alessandro Antonelli, architect of the Mole of Torino; its 121 metres draw the skyline of the Province’s capital, giving it that dear and familiar shape in which the people of Novara recognise themselves. The 16th-century basilica dedicated to the patron saint Gaudentius, a precious casket of Baroque art, is worth a visit; the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria, with its characteristic colonnade, and the early Christian Baptistery, the city’s oldest monument; the Broletto Monumental Complex, once a place of public and civic life, now houses the Giannoni Modern Art Collection; the Visconteo Sforzesco Castle, which hosts high-level events and exhibitions; and the Coccia and Faraggiana Theatres, the musical and artistic hearts of the city. First place on the Novara menu goes to paniscia, a “risotto” with lard, vegetables and salame della duja, followed by gorgonzola, of which Novara is the capital. And to close on a sweet note, the world-famous Biscottini di Novara.

Milan

The 1000 Miglia returned in Piazza Duomo

After around 2,000 of racing, the 1000 Miglia finally reached Milan and stoped there for the first time in its history. There was a Passage Control in Piazza Duomo where the participants enjoyed parading their cars in one of the most elegant, majestic and symbolic places in the world.

CityLife Milano

The district-symbol of urban rebirth with its designer skyscrapers surrounded by a monumental park, treasure chest of art, design and architecture

CityLife is the new neighbourhood of Milan emerging from the transformation of the historical polo urbano of the fair. It is, with 366,000 square metres of surface area, one of the largest urban developments in Europe and a model for urban transformation.

Sustainability, the quality of life and public services are the elements which distinguish CityLife, an articulate balance between public and private through housing, offices, leisure facilities, shopping, parks and pedestrian areas.

The heart of the neighbourhood is the Business and Shopping District which is composed of the Three Towers dedicated to office use and a vast commercial area with the finest of shops and restaurants immersed in a vast park of 140,000 square metres. Contaning over 2000 trees it is the perfect place for a free time stroll through nature and where one can also find sporting, cultural and artistic activities throughout the year.

With the aim of managing and maintaining the park and public areas, SmartCityLife Srl was founded with partnerships through CityLife S.p.A, Generali Real Estate and Allianz – owners of the proprerties in the management area of Piazza Tre Torri. Since acquiring the area in 2006 CityLife S.p.A has been leader in implementing the development project and merging of private and public governance.

The aim of the (company/cooperative/corporation) is not only the management of this specific area but to become a laboratory for the development and innovation of smart cities across Europe.

The application of the latest technology together with a digital platform further improves the experience for consumers, visitors and residents of the neighbourhood in terms of the quality of life and environmental sustainability.

Our SmartCityLife App has been conceived to allow users to discover the area to its fullest potential and stay up to date with events.

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