There is a new hashtag these days on social media that goes like this #WHENTHISWILLBEOVER.
Imagine waking up in the cottage next to La Vigna Di Leonardo, walking out into the vineyard where Leonardo once did 500 years ago. It’s possible in the ‘Sforza’ apartment, one of six fully-furnished apartments available for guests to call home.
Each different in size and location in the Casa degli Atellani, all of the Atellani Apartments have their own character and feeling. A completely family run business, the private residencies offer a unique experience in the heart of Milan to discover, and indulge in, the history of the Milanese Renaissance and Milanese architecture.
Portaluppi’s grandson Piero Castellini Baldissera and his great-grandson Filippo Taidelli refurbished the apartments in an elegantly modest way, decorating the rooms with C&C Milano textiles (co-owned by Castellini). Furniture in the apartments are handmade by Brianza, an artisanal company even Portaluppi himself would work with. Portaluppi’s architectural details are found in each apartment, such as in the ‘Leonardo’ apartment where his signature lime and white stripe is found on the kitchen walls and the oak he often worked with found on the living room pillars.
Waking up to the view of Santa Maria delle Grazie church just across from this apartment is especially special, with the 120sqm apartment directly overlooking the historic church opposite Corso Magenta. For guests wanting to see The Last Supper but did not book it months in advance, it is possible to visit the ticket desk at 8am to try your luck. It’s especially handy whilst staying at Atellani Apartments just metres away! With privacy and comfort key attributes with amenities and any personal requests (such an personal yoga sessions or specific catering) available, Atellani Apartments offer an incredibly personal service yet never invasive.
Frequented by those in the art, architecture and design industries, this is a haven for those seeking to experience the best of Milanese design and Italian history (to note: certain dates such as the Milan Design Week in April are booked out a year in advance because of this!).
This is certainly the number 1 location in Milan we recommend readers to stay. Conveniently located, extremely well priced, Atellani Apartments offers everything one needs for an unforgettable experience in Milan.
Leonardo’s Vineyard
From Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Florence Leonardo moves to Milan, under Ludovico Maria ‘Il Moro’ Sforza’s rule, in 1482. At the time both Leonardo and Ludovico are 30 years old.
In 1495, Ludovico commissions Leonardo to paint the Last Supper in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. In 1498, Ludovico grants Leonardo the ownership of a vineyard of about 16 rows.
It’s nice to imagine Leonardo leaving his working site at sunset, crossing the square, walking thought the Atellani house, and finally checking on his vines. However, when the King of France’s troops vanquishes and imprisons ‘Il Moro’ in 1500, Leonardo leaves Milan, shortly after having given in lease the vineyard to the father of his pupil, Gian Giacomo ‘Salaì’ Caprotti.
Leonardo will never stop taking care of his vineyard. When the French confiscate the Vineyard, Leonardo finally manages to take it back and on his death bed he mentions it, leaving part of it to servant and another part to ‘Salaì’ himself.
The Atellani House
On the land belonging to the vineyard of San Vittore, the Duke of Milan, dreamt of building a new residential neighbourhood where his most loyal men could live. Of his dream – a dream more than five hundred years old – only few traces remain today These include the plan for Via Zenale and Via San Vittore, the Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Grazie with Leonardo’s Last Supper, and finally the Atellani House
The Scientific Project
Leonardo’s Vineyard is reborn in 2015, in occasion of the 2015 Expo. The opening to the public of the Vineyard was possible thanks to the good will of the Portaluppi Foundation and that of the current owners of the Atellani House, in collaboration with oenologist Luca Maroni and with the University of Agricultural Arts, represented by geneticist Serena Imazio and vine DNA expert Professor Attilio Scienza.
Casa delle Atellani Corso Magenta, 65 info@vignadileonardo.com ticket office +39.02.4816150