This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

A typical “Belle Epoque” atmosphere can be found on Viale Piave, number 42, where a plaque celebrates the very first public pool ever built in town; in 1842 in fact, architect Andrea Pizzala built Diana Baths here, offering a 328×82 ft swimming pool served by the Gerenzana canal. The pool was fitted with trampolines and surrounded by lush poplars, chestnut trees, plantains and willows. The first official water polo match took place right there.

In 1908, the pool was interred to make room for the Kursaal Diana complex, later becoming part of the current Diana Hotel structure. A statue of that very Roman goddess is still visible in the hotel garden and what is left of the original one. Horse chestnuts, maples, but most of all wisteria, rhododendrons, magnolias and many other beautiful flowers bless the garden with their wondrous colours all year long.

Photo source:
https://www.flawlessmilano.com/5-giardini-piu-belli-milano-allinterno-degli-hotel/
https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/dianamajesticmilan.it.html

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)