Living in a casa di ringhiera
The long balcony, the courtyard, the bathrooms that used to be outside. What to look at when you view a flat in one of Milan's railing houses.
· by Matteo Cattaneo · 1 min read
Case di ringhiera, railing houses, were built in Milan between the late 1800s and the early 1900s, for families working in the factories and workshops. You recognise them by the courtyard: on every floor a long balcony runs around it, the ballatoio, with an iron railing, and every front door opens onto it.
Many are in Isola, the Navigli, NoLo and Porta Romana. Plenty have been renovated, and some flats have been joined to make larger homes.
What to look at on a viewing
Windows on the balcony. Neighbours walk past the windows that face the ballatoio. Check which rooms face it and which face the street or the back: bedrooms are better on the other side.
The bathroom. Originally bathrooms were shared, out on the balcony. Today they are almost always inside, but check that the bathroom is shown on the registered floor plan.
Stairs and lift. Many buildings have no lift, or had one added later in the courtyard. On the third or fourth floor it makes a difference.
The building rules. The ballatoio is often common property: the rules say whether you can put plants, a small table or a curtain in front of your door.
Heating. In many buildings it is shared, with valves on the radiators. Ask for the costs of the last two years.
Why we like them
High ceilings, exposed beams, terrazzo or wooden floors, and a courtyard where people say hello. Our agency takes its name from them.