Milan, March 10, 2026 – An immersive exhibition recreating medieval life and celebrating the history and community spirit of the Palio di Legnano has opened in Milan, coinciding with the 850th anniversary of the Battle of Legnano. The exhibit, titled ‘Stories on the Right Track. The Legnano Palio,’ is a collaboration between Fnm and the Palio di Legnano Foundation and is located at the ‘Altro deposito bagagli’ space within Milan Cadorna station.
The exhibition, which runs from March 10 to May 24, 2026, is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 12:00 to 18:00, excluding Easter, April 25th, and May 1st. It was inaugurated today with a ceremony attended by Pier Antonio Rossetti, President of Ferrovienord. Fulvio Caradonna, CEO of Fnm; Andrea Gibelli, President of Fnm; Luca Roveda, President of the Palio di Legnano Foundation; and Lorenzo Radice, Mayor of Legnano.
Visitors can explore a meticulously crafted medieval setting, complete with period furniture, including chairs, tablecloths, plates, glasses, pottery containers, cutlery, wooden objects, pitchers, a candelabra, and candles, alongside various food items. The display also features helmets, swords, chainmail, and nine mannequins dressed in historical costumes representing the different ‘Contrade’ – the city’s districts – including the Captain, Castellana, knight, lady, attendants, religious figure, and children. Educational panels and multimedia materials from the Palio di Legnano collections further enrich the experience, with some materials displayed on the station’s mezzanine level.
Free reservations are required to visit the exhibition and can be made through Eventbrite.
The exhibition is part of the official program for MuseoCity 2026, a celebration of Milan’s museum heritage featuring special openings, exhibitions, guided tours, and events throughout the city. “The history of Fnm, which this year celebrates 100 years since its stock market listing, coincides with that of the territories,” said Andrea Gibelli, President of Fnm. “Thanks to the development of transport networks, starting with the railway, lifestyles, relational models and productive realities have changed and evolved. There is a link between physical infrastructure and local relational networks that shape communities. Our goal and the task we want to take on is the enhancement of historical and cultural heritage, such as that of the Palio di Legnano, which is worth knowing in depth.”
The Palio di Legnano has long prioritized its connection to the local area and the communities within it. “Bringing the Palio and the Battle of Legnano to the heart of Cadorna station means putting two Lombard stories into dialogue that have spanned the centuries,” added Luca Roveda, President of the Palio di Legnano Foundation. “Choosing such a central location for the life of Milan and the entire Region means opening our history to the daily pace of thousands of people, transforming a transit space into a space of identity. The partnership with Fnm is helping us to create known a reality made up of people attentive to memory, but capable of vision and responsibility towards the future.”
The Palio di Legnano is an annual historical re-enactment commemorating the Battle of Legnano, fought on May 29, 1176, between the Lombard League and Frederick Barbarossa. The event features a parade in medieval costumes and a horse race between the city’s eight ‘Contrade.’ The event culminates on the last Sunday in May with a liturgy linked to local tradition and history, and is recognized as one of Italy’s most important historical events. Since 2006, it has reverted to its original name after decades of being known as the ‘Sagra del Carroccio.’ Since 2022, management and promotion have been entrusted to the Palio di Legnano Foundation. The event is renowned for its meticulous historical research and the authenticity of its artifacts, and has received national recognition. The Foundation is celebrating the 850th anniversary of the Battle of Legnano in 2026 with a series of special events, including the exhibition at Milan Cadorna station.
The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore a significant piece of Italian history and culture, highlighting the enduring legacy of the Battle of Legnano and its continued relevance in contemporary Italy. The event underscores the importance of preserving and promoting cultural heritage within a modern urban context.
