Antiques Market in Milan – Il Naviglio Grande
Every last Sunday of the month; Milan’s Sunday Antique Market on the canal Navilgio Grande – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato sul Naviglio Grande
Milan Antique Market Calendar 2019
- Sunday 27 Jan – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 24 Feb – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 24Mar – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 7 Apr – Flowers and Flavours market – Fiori e Sapori sul Naviglio Grande
- Sunday 28 Apr – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 5 May – Art market – Arte sul Naviglio
- Sunday 26 May – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 23 Jun – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 28 Jul – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 25 Aug – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 22 Sep – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 6 Oct – Flowers and Flavours – Fiori e Sapori sul Naviglio Grande
- Sunday 27 Oct – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 24 Nov – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
- Sunday 15 Dec – Antique market – Mercatone dell’Antiquariato
*dates to be confirmed, check the official site for details
Julia Chiarella-Genoni takes us through the antique market of the Naviglio Grande which takes place every last Sunday of the month.
If you are looking for a leisurely walk along a nice scenic area, you don’t have to leave the city to find it. In fact, you may even find a couple of things to snatch up and take home with you. ‘Il Naviglio Grande’ is a beautiful area in Milan near Porta Genova that is frequented by artists, young shoppers and romantics.
Years ago, it was known as the “Artists Center” because everyone who wanted to paint a memorable section of Milan wanted to capture the canal and the old apartment buildings. It is still used as an open air studio for many artists. Fashion designers have recently opened their boutiques and studios along the canal. An area also known for its many restaurants, the canal can prove to be a whole day experience.
A very charming area on any day, take a walk along the canal, grab an ice cream at an old fashion gelateria, and shop around for some clothes, or pieces of art. At the very tip of the canal you can also find a fish market, a flower market, and a fruit market all at the same corner. It makes for a perfect stop to pick up ingredients for a fresh weekend dinner.
If you can swing it, a must see is when ‘Il Naviglio’ has its open air antique market at the end of every month. The last Sunday of each month except for July and August, the canal turns into one massive shopping area. It’s called the “Mercatone dell’Antiquariato” and is packed with antiques, great finds, and loads (loads!) of people.
As a tenant of the area, I have experienced this event first hand, from the very early morning of set up time, to the very late afternoon of packing it all in. Here is my account of a fascinating Sunday:

With a quick look outside our window, we decide when is a good time to go for our walk, factoring in the size of the crowd. It starts to get very packed in the afternoon, so we tend to make our way out early. After a lazy morning breakfast, we’re off to check the latest treasures brought to the street.

Links:
» Official website of Navilgio Grande
Article & Photos: Julia Chiarella-Genoni
Julia is a professional writer who lived and worked in fashion in Milan. She now runs the successful blog AskMamaMoe.com