Cimitero Monumentale Accessibility Guide

Overview

Cimitero Monumentale is an open-air cemetery and sculpture gallery in northern Milan, dating to 1866. It holds elaborate tombs, mausoleums, and sculptures by well-known Italian artists and architects.

Families of Milan's elite commissioned works in styles ranging from Art Nouveau to Greek temple replicas, making it one of Europe's most artistically rich cemeteries.

The cemetery is rated Partially Accessible because many outdoor paths use gravel surfaces that are difficult for wheelchair users. The Famedio (Hall of Fame) entrance building has a wheelchair platform lift, but the lift cabin measures only 84 by 72 cm, which is too narrow for many standard wheelchairs and most power chairs.

Two free wheelchairs are available to borrow at the entrance with an ID deposit.

Getting There

• Metro: Monumentale station on Line M5 (Lilla) is directly across the piazza from the main entrance, about 50 meters away. The station has elevator access to street level. This is the most convenient approach.
• Tram: Lines 2, 4, and 12 stop near Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale. Tram stops are within 100 meters of the entrance.
• Bus: Route 37 stops at the piazza.
• By car: Limited street parking is available around the piazza. Blue-line paid parking spaces are on Via Bramante and Via Ceresio. No dedicated disabled parking spaces are marked at the entrance.
• From Milano Centrale station: Take Metro M5 (Lilla) from Garibaldi FS (one stop from Centrale) or walk about 1.5 km along Via Farini. The walking route is flat but uses standard city sidewalks.

Wheelchair Accessibility

• The main entrance has two large gates, each about 400 cm wide, at street level with no steps. The gates open outward and are attended by staff during opening hours.
• After passing through the main gate, a 30-meter gravel path leads to the information point on the left side under the covered arcades. The gravel surface is loose and uneven, making it difficult for manual wheelchair users without assistance.
• Two steps (each 13 cm high) follow the gravel path before reaching the information point. A sloping ramp on the right side bypasses these steps. The ramp is about 7 meters long with a 4% slope, which is manageable for most wheelchair users.
• The Famedio (Hall of Fame) is the main entrance building, arranged on two levels connected by stairs. A wheelchair platform lift at the information point reaches the upper floor. The platform lift cabin is 84 by 72 cm. Measure your wheelchair before counting on this lift, as many standard manual wheelchairs are 65 to 70 cm wide, leaving very little clearance. Power wheelchairs typically will not fit.
• From the lift, two double doors (each 69 cm wide) lead to the upper walkways that run along the building. These narrow doors may not accommodate wider wheelchairs.
• The outdoor cemetery grounds cover 250,000 square meters and use a mix of gravel paths, paved walkways, and grass. Paved sections near the central avenue are the smoothest routes.
• Side paths leading to individual tomb sections are almost exclusively gravel, with occasional tree roots creating bumps and uneven spots.
• Two manual wheelchairs are available for free loan at the entrance. Bring a valid ID document as deposit. These are standard manual wheelchairs and may be helpful if your own chair is too wide for the platform lift.

Key Highlights Along the Accessible Route

The following notable works are along or near the main central avenue, accessible without leaving paved or compacted surfaces:

• The Famedio (Hall of Fame): The entrance building itself houses the tombs of Alessandro Manzoni, conductor Arturo Toscanini, and other prominent Milanese figures. The ground floor is accessible.
• Edicola Campari: The Art Nouveau tomb of the Campari family, visible from the central avenue at about 100 meters from the entrance.
• Ossario: The central ossuary building, located at the end of the main avenue, about 400 meters from the entrance. The exterior is visible from the path.
• Various Art Nouveau and Art Deco mausoleums line the first 200 meters of the central avenue, offering some of the cemetery's most photographed monuments without requiring detours onto gravel side paths.

Accessible Toilets

At the time of the last accessibility survey, the permanent restroom building was closed for renovation. Portable toilets are placed at several locations throughout the grounds, but these are typically not wheelchair accessible due to narrow doors and high step-ups. A restroom is located on the right side of the main entrance, but its current accessibility status should be confirmed with staff. Check with the information point upon arrival for the current toilet situation.

Tips for Visitors with Disabilities

• Visit on dry days only. Rain turns gravel paths into soft mud, making wheelchair travel very difficult or impossible on side paths. Even the main avenue becomes harder to roll on when wet.
• Bring a companion if you use a manual wheelchair. The gravel paths require significant extra pushing effort, and the distances between notable sculptures can be 50 to 100 meters.
• The cemetery is enormous (250,000 square meters). Focus on the Famedio and the main central avenue if you have limited energy or mobility. The most impressive tombs are within the first few sections near the entrance.
• Morning visits (before 10:00am) offer cooler temperatures and fewer visitors. Summer afternoons can exceed 35 degrees Celsius with limited shade on the main paths.
• Photography is allowed without flash. A telephoto lens or zoom on your phone helps capture details on taller monuments without needing to leave the main path.
• A printed map is available at the information point showing the full cemetery layout. Ask staff to mark the most accessible routes for your specific mobility needs.
• The cemetery sometimes hosts guided tours, but these are typically walking tours that do not follow accessible routes. Contact the cemetery office at +39 02 884 45706 to ask about accessible tour options.
• Bring water and snacks, as there are no cafes, drink vendors, or vending machines inside the cemetery grounds.
• The nearest cafe is on Via Ceresio, about 100 meters from the main gate. Several restaurants and bars line Via Paolo Sarpi (Milan's Chinatown), a 5-minute roll north of the cemetery.
• The cemetery is free to enter, so you can visit for as little or as long as you like. Even a 30-minute visit focused on the Famedio and the first section of the central avenue is worthwhile.
• Winter visits (November to February) offer shorter daylight hours but fewer crowds. Paths may be slippery if frost is present on the gravel.
• The Famedio alone is worth a visit even if you cannot access the wider cemetery paths. It houses the remains of some of Milan's most famous citizens and has impressive architecture.
• No entrance ticket or reservation is needed. Simply arrive during opening hours and enter through the main gates. The information point staff can answer questions about specific tomb locations.
• Phone: +39 02 884 45706 for general information and accessibility questions.
• The cemetery is an active burial ground. Be respectful of visitors who are paying their respects, and keep noise levels low.
• Wheelchair users who find the gravel paths impassable can still enjoy the Famedio ground floor, the first section of the central avenue (which has the most compacted surface), and the covered arcades near the entrance, all within a shorter visit of about 30 minutes.