Milan's Wisteria Saved, Museum of Resistance Project Modified

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala initially threatened to cancel the Museum of the Resistance project if the public insisted on saving a 40-year-old wisteria tree in Piazzale Baiamonti. The tree faced removal to make way for a pyramid-shaped building designed by Herzog & De Meuron, twin to the Fondazione Feltrinelli building completed in 2016. A popular protest led by Green councilor Carlo Monguzzi, comedian Giovanni Storti, writer Fabio Volo, and the band Elio e le Storie Tese gathered over 50,000 signatures. The project, approved two years ago with the Superintendence's blessing, would have cut the wisteria and other trees in the Lea Garofalo garden near the Circolo Combattenti e Reduci. Supporters included ANPI president Roberto Cenati and the Ministry of Culture, which provided most of the €17 million funding. The museum, supported by the Istituto Nazionale Ferruccio Pari, would span 3,800 square meters over six floors, with permanent exhibition spaces, a documentation center, offices, and temporary exhibition areas. After meeting with protesters, Sala announced a project modification that saves the wisteria by pruning it, with no excessive costs or delays. Construction is expected to conclude by 2026.