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The road of the gnomes

Via Lepanto, 20125 Milano, Italia ★★★★☆ 163 views
Mira Castaneda
Milano
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About The road of the gnomes

The road of the gnomes - Milano | Secret World Trip Planner

The Milan of the '40s and '60s, thanks to the genius - and inspiration - of the engineer Mario Cavallè, showed great creativity by creating a sort of "street of gnomes". In 1946, in fact, he built 12 "mini-houses" in the shape of Igloos (all importing a U.S. housing model) and, in the sixties, completed the work with two additional homes in the shape of Mushrooms. Unfortunately, the "mushrooms" were demolished, while the "igloos" remain to this day and are eight. We went to see them and... it's really weird, dear Imbruttiti.

The road of the gnomes - Milano | Secret World Trip Planner

We are, in fact, in Via Lepanto Maggiolina area - close to the railway - and, among houses of "normal stature" and architecture more or less pleasant but definitely usual, we find these "gnomes" of brick and cement that catapult us into the past. A journey back in time that gives us a feeling between the melancholic (some are similarly abandoned and desolate) and the fairy-tale (the idea of how they could be in the past and, in particular, in the sixties imbued with philosophy flower power that could give a sense to the neighborhood).

The road of the gnomes - Milano | Secret World Trip Planner
The road of the gnomes - Milano | Secret World Trip Planner
The road of the gnomes - Milano | Secret World Trip Planner
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  1. 🌅
    Morning
    The road of the gnomes
    📍 Milano
  2. ☀️
    Afternoon
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  3. 🌆
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Frequently Asked Questions

The gnome houses are a unique collection of 12 miniature igloo-shaped dwellings built in 1946 by engineer Mario Cavallè as an experimental housing project inspired by American design. Originally there were also two mushroom-shaped homes added in the sixties, but these were demolished; today only eight igloos remain as charming remnants of mid-20th century creativity.
The Road of the Gnomes is located in the Via Lepanto Maggiolina area of Milan, close to the railway station. You'll find these whimsical brick and cement structures nestled among regular-sized houses in this residential neighborhood, creating a striking contrast with their unique architecture.
Yes, eight of the original igloo-shaped gnome houses are still standing today and can be visited in situ. While some appear abandoned and desolate, they remain as fascinating remnants of 1940s-60s experimental architecture that offer visitors a surreal journey back in time.
The gnome houses represent a bold post-WWII attempt to introduce innovative American housing models to Milan, blending practical experimentation with creative whimsy. Their igloo and mushroom shapes, combined with the flower power philosophy of the 1960s, give them a distinctive fairy-tale quality that stands out dramatically against conventional urban architecture.
The gnome houses can be visited year-round as they are permanent outdoor structures in a residential neighborhood, though visiting during daylight hours is recommended to fully appreciate their unique architectural details. Spring and summer may offer the most pleasant weather for exploring the Via Lepanto area and capturing photos of these whimsical buildings.