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Zara Station: A Vital Interchange in Maggiolina

Zara is a key interchange station on the Milan Metro, serving both Line M3 and Line M5. Located in the Maggiolina neighborhood of Municipio 9, the station sits beneath Viale Zara, one of the city's major northern arteries. The M3 platforms opened on May 12, 1991, while the M5 connection was added on March 1, 2014, making Zara the first interchange point between the yellow and lilac metro lines. The station is entirely underground and is equipped with elevators, escalators, and other accessibility features.

Zara serves a strategic role in Milan's public transportation network by connecting neighborhoods across the north and northwest to the central city. Its proximity to residential areas, offices, and retail spaces in Maggiolina makes it heavily used by commuters and local residents alike. The station also links directly to nearby tram lines and bus routes, making it a multimodal hub. As part of a historically elegant and tranquil district, Zara station blends modern infrastructure with the residential character of the Maggiolina zone.

Viale Zara: A Key Artery Through the Maggiolina Quarter

Viale Zara is one of the principal boulevards that defines the flow and structure of the Maggiolina neighborhood in Municipio 9 of Milan. Stretching from the bustling Piazzale Lagosta and continuing northward, the avenue serves as a vital corridor linking Milan's city center to its northern suburbs. Historically named after the Italian cruiser Zara, the street has been a prominent feature of the city's road network since the early 20th century. It is lined with residential buildings, offices, and essential services that support the everyday life of the Maggiolina community.

With the M3 metro line running just beneath it and surface transport including several bus and tram routes, Viale Zara is also a public transit backbone. It lies within walking distance of notable areas like Quartiere dei Giornalisti and offers easy access to Milan's central business zones. Despite the high traffic, the boulevard is flanked by well-maintained sidewalks and tree-lined sections that soften the urban intensity. Viale Zara is not only a route for commuters but also a space that shapes the rhythm and connectivity of northern Milan.

Palazzo Lombardia: A Symbol of Modern Governance in Milan

Palazzo Lombardia is a landmark of contemporary architecture and political administration located just on the edge of the Maggiolina neighborhood in Municipio 9 of Milan. Completed in 2010 and designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in collaboration with Caputo Partnership and Sistema Duemila, the tower complex serves as the seat of the Lombardy regional government. Its 161-meter-high central tower was, for a time, the tallest building in Italy. The structure is characterized by its glass curtain walls, curved forms, and eco-sustainable design, earning it the 2012 International Architecture Award.

Although officially situated in the nearby Centrale zone, Palazzo Lombardia is easily accessible from Maggiolina via Via Melchiorre Gioia and lies within walking distance of Maggiolina's urban fabric. It plays a significant civic role by housing regional offices and public service points that serve residents throughout northern Milan. The plaza in front of the building, Piazza Città di Lombardia, is the largest covered square in Europe and regularly hosts cultural events, public gatherings, and open-air exhibitions. This proximity to Maggiolina adds to the neighborhood's strategic importance and contributes to its growing appeal among professionals and civic-minded residents.

Piazza Lagosta: A Dynamic Crossroads Linking Maggiolina

Piazza Lagosta is a vital urban node situated near the southern edge of the Maggiolina neighborhood in Municipio 9 of Milan. Positioned at the confluence of Viale Zara, Via Pola, and Via Carlo Farini, the square serves as a bustling transit and commercial hub that connects Maggiolina to Isola and Porta Nuova. Although technically adjacent to Isola, the square directly influences mobility and access in southern Maggiolina, particularly for residents who rely on the nearby Zara metro interchange serving lines M3 and M5. The area is marked by constant foot and vehicle traffic, making it an important artery for both daily commuters and local businesses.

Over the years, Piazza Lagosta has become a strategic point of orientation for residents of Maggiolina and beyond, with modern urban furniture and improved pedestrian zones enhancing its functionality. The square is surrounded by mid-century residential buildings and newer developments that reflect the evolving face of northern Milan. Several eateries, bakeries, and local shops operate in the vicinity, creating a lively environment throughout the day. While it may not have the green space of Maggiolina's garden streets, Piazza Lagosta plays a key infrastructural role in maintaining the neighborhood's connectivity to the broader metropolitan network.