Cultural Park, Milan,
Italy
The Horse has found a permanent home in Milan, the city where Leonardo intended
his own horse to stand. The new Cultural Park where it was unveiled on September
10th 1999 was established for the people of Milan by its owner, SNAI, a major
Italian corporation. The Cultural Park will serve to benefit the children
of the city. The development of this Park is part of a strategic effort by
the City of Milan to foster cultural events in areas outside the city center,
closer to residential areas and to alleviate downtown congestion. There are
exhibits related to Leonardo and The Horse on permanent display with additional
temporary ones being planned. Current exhibits include an Italian and English
language video of the story of The Horse on a 7 foot by 7 foot array of TV
monitors, Leonardo inspired mechanical devices and viewing apparatuses, a
photo exhibit, parts of the actual molds and plasters used in the creation
of The Horse, a bilingual series of displays which provide a written history
of the story of The Horse with accompanying Braille text and audio, for the
blind.
The Cultural Park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 365 days per year to welcome and inform students, tour groups and other visitors about The Horse. This Park is one of the only cultural facilities in Italy open every single day of the year and is free to the public. The Cultural Park is a very new spot on the Milanese map of tourism. It is too early to tell what its place will be in Milan's future, although it has already become a featured attraction on guided tours, and Milan travel brochures. Weekend crowds coming to view The Horse are consistently large.
The Horse is mounted on a white Carrara marble pedestal on a large classic Milanese Montorsano granite base. This is the same variety of granite which was used at the Duomo and other major Milanese squares. The step heights are the same as those of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The broad flat granite base allows people to relax and become linked to the sculpture. The Horse can be viewed from the ground, and two other levels, in the beautiful setting. The backdrop of the Cultural Park consists of a structure of 1920s liberty-style architecture designed by one of Italy's most famous architects, Mr. ViettiViola.
As of 30 September 1999 there was an investment by SNAI in the Cultural Park and setting for The Horse in excess of $ 1 million. The Horse's setting in the Cultural Park is on the grounds of Milan's Ippodromo del Gallappo racecourse, one of the most beautiful grounds in Europe, and a site of internationally important events every year. Past events include major musical performances with over 45,000 people.
Located in the San Siro section of the city, the Cultural Park is approximately 15 minutes from the city center by cab, and 5 minutes from the Convention Center and lies well within the city limits and the Autostrada (motorist beltway) surrounding Milan. The Cultural Park has extensive parking available and has public transportation accessible by a short walk from the Lotto, Red-line subway station as well as bus service. Opposite the Ippodromo property is the 80,000-seat soccer stadium where Milan's professional soccer teams play.
