Explore Sant’Eustorgio and the Navigli with Us
As part of our Italian language and culture walking tour in Milan, last Thursday we explored the city’s historic heart with Marco and our students. This unforgettable experience combined classroom learning with a live cultural tour of the Navigli district and the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio, revealing layers of Italian history, art, and legend.
👉 Interested in learning more about cultural activities in Milan? Read about our visit to San Maurizio, the “Sistine Chapel of Milan”.
From the Classroom to the Streets: Who Were the Cathars?
We started our journey in class, where Marco guided the students through a captivating lesson on medieval Milan. We explored the role of the Cathars, the Emperor Barbarossa, and the relics of the Magi, laying the foundation for what we would encounter during the walking tour.
One highlight was the tale of the mysterious fresco known as the “Madonna with Horns” — a story that sparked smiles and questions, blending language learning with legend and humor.
🎥 Watch a moment from Marco’s lesson:
Walking the Navigli District: Memory, Art and Everyday Life
Our Italian language and culture walking tour in Milan began at Porta Genova. We made our first stop at Vicolo dei Lavandai, a place filled with stories of Milanese washerwomen. These women represent a forgotten but foundational piece of the city’s working-class history.
We also entered a hidden courtyard where Marco introduced us to the traditional “casa di ringhiera”. These Milanese balcony houses hosted entire communities and told tales of solidarity, laundry lines, and shared dinners — true reflections of everyday Italian life.
🎥 Discover a quiet moment from our walk:
The Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio and the Relics of the Magi
At the heart of our tour was the magnificent Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio, founded in the 4th century. For centuries, it guarded the relics of the Three Wise Men, until they were taken to Cologne by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
Marco shared how the relics returned in part, and how this church still serves as a powerful symbol of Milan’s religious and political past. In front of the Tomb of the Magi, students reflected on the power of memory and faith.
🎥 Watch Marco in front of the Tomb of the Magi:
The Portinari Chapel: A Masterpiece of the Renaissance
Our final stop was the breathtaking Portinari Chapel, commissioned by a Medici banker and home to the tomb of Saint Peter of Verona. Sculpted by Giovanni di Balduccio, this masterpiece blends art, religion, and politics into one powerful space.
🎥 Watch Marco explain its secrets:
The Legend of the “Madonna with Horns”
Marco also told the legendary tale of how Peter of Verona revealed a false holy image worshipped by the Cathars. As he prayed before it, the hidden horns of a devil appeared behind the Virgin. Since then, the fresco has been known as the “Madonna with Horns”.
🎥 Watch the full legend here:
📲 Want more? Visit our Instagram profile to watch the live tour, where Marco explains every symbol carved on Peter’s tomb and the stories of the female figures sculpted beside him.
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Why Join an Italian Language and Culture Walking Tour in Milan?
Learning Italian isn’t just about grammar and vocabulary — it’s about living the language. This Italian language and culture walking tour in Milan gave students a direct connection to the city’s soul, helping them practice their language skills while uncovering stories from the past.
🎥 Want to Relive the Experience with Us?
Watch the videos of our walking tour, including the classroom lesson and visits to the Basilica and Navigli, on our official YouTube channel:
👉 Visit our YouTube channel
🎓 Planning to study Italian in Milan? Check out our special August Special offer and explore all our Italian Courses in Milan on that could fit your needs.