Why are some of Milan’s metro stations named the way they are?

The Milan underground is the largest in Italy in terms of the number of stops, lines and overall route length, boasting a network of around 100 kilometres, five lines and more than 120 stations.

Some stops have rather unusual names and, although countless locals and tourists use the metro every day, not everyone is familiar with the meaning or origin behind these names.

Let’s take a look at some of the most curious station names on the Milan metro and uncover their stories.

Molino Dorino (Red Line 1)

For a long time, this station served as the terminus before the extension beyond the city limits to Rho Fiera was completed. The name derives from a nearby watermill, the last remaining one in Milan, still intact and dating back to the 17th century.

QT8 (Red Line 1)

The name is an acronym for Quartiere Triennale 8, as the project was presented at the eighth edition of the Milan Triennale in 1947. It is an experimental district designed by architect Piero Bottoni.

Lima (Red Line 1)

This station is named after the capital of Peru, reflecting the strong historical ties between Milan and the South American city and, more broadly, with several Latin American countries. This connection is echoed in the local place names, such as Corso Buenos Aires and Piazza Argentina.

Dergano (Yellow Line 3)

Dergano was once a separate town bordering Milan. Like many settlements in the first belt around the city, it was initially incorporated into the Municipality of Affori before being officially annexed to Milan in 1923.

Lodi TIBB (Line 3 – Yellow)

The name Lodi comes from the station’s location on the avenue of the same name. TIBB is the acronym for Tecnomasio Italiano Brown Boveri, a former engineering company based nearby that specialised in designing and building trains and trams.

Porto di Mare (Line 3 – Yellow)

The name Porto di Mare (literally “Seaport”) dates back to a project conceived in the early 20th century. The plan was to build a new inland port to replace the Darsena as Milan’s main river transport hub, linking the city to the Po River and ultimately the Adriatic Sea.

Washington Bolivar (Line 4 – Blue)

This stop is named in honour of two military leaders: George Washington and Simón Bolívar. Washington was commander-in-chief during the American War of Independence and the first President of the United States. Bolívar was a Venezuelan revolutionary, founder of Bolivia, and a key figure in the independence movements of several South American nations.

Portello (Line 5 – Lilla)

Until the late decades of the 20th century, the area was home to the Alfa Romeo factory. It also featured a rural road, known as the strada del Portello, which once linked Milan to Rho.

Article translated by Agnese Giardini

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Transport and Mobility

Travel

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