Milan: the real-life Monopoly board

MONOPOLY

Back in 1936, Italian journalist and translator Emilio Ceretti set out to bring Parker Brothers' iconic board game to Italy. However, he faced a major roadblock: the fascist regime strictly prohibited foreign words and names. Ceretti was forced to "italianize" the game as Monopoli (pronounced Monòpoli, like the southern Italian town). Drawing inspiration from Milan’s map and his own daily strolls, he named the game’s properties after real city streets.

Ready to see Milan through a whole new lens? Step onto the ultimate real-life game board with this unique walking tour.

Starting off

On the game board, these represent the budget-friendly starter properties. In reality, they capture the bohemian soul of Milan’s historic Brera district. Ceretti drew inspiration from the area's picturesque, narrow alleyways, such as Via Fiori Chiari and Via Fiori Scuri—turning them into the game's opening tiles.

High street shopping & historic ramparts

Stroll down Corso Buenos Aires, one of Europe’s longest and busiest shopping avenues. On the Italian board, it belongs to the pink/red property group alongside Bastioni di Porta Venezia, an iconic landmark that marks the site of Milan's historic Spanish walls.

In the heart of the action

Heading into the historic center, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II links Piazza del Duomo to Piazza San Babila in a vibrant, open-air promenade packed with flagship stores. A short walk away lies Via Dante, an elegant pedestrian boulevard leading directly toward the magnificent Sforza Castle.

Rewriting propaganda

The original 1936 board featured three green properties named after fascist political propaganda: Via del Fascio, Largo Littorio, and Corso Impero. Following WWII in 1945, publisher Editrice Giochi updated the game to strip away these political ties:

Via del Fascio became Via Verdi (a tribute to composer Giuseppe Verdi, steps from the La Scala Opera House).
Largo Littorio was renamed Largo Raffaello (after the Renaissance master Raphael).
Corso Impero uniquely retained its original name.

"Go directly to jail"

No round of Monopoly is complete without a stint "In Jail / Just Visiting." In Milan, the definitive historic prison is San Vittore (Casa Circondariale Francesco Di Cataldo), located just west of the city center. Built in the late 19th century with its classic radial panopticon layout, it remains an intriguing chapter of local history.

Premier luxury living

The board's most coveted, high-end properties take inspiration from Milan's greenest, most exclusive enclaves:

Viale dei Giardini: inspired by the tree-lined avenues of the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens in Porta Venezia.
Parco della Vittoria: the Italian adaptation of Boardwalk, designed to evoke the grand, leafy estates of Milanese nobility.