Corso Magenta is one of the most typical Milanese streets, and is certainly the most popular urban artery in this part of town. It runs through the Sacred Heart University area, the cultural hotspots such as the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Archeological Museum, and the financial district, attracting a wide range of pedestrians at all times of day. The street is lined with elegant boutiques, posh hotels, sophisticated residential buildings and has the traditional orange trams trudging up and down in its center. It starts by Piazza Conciliazione in the west and although it becomes Via Meravigli by the time it reaches Piazza Cordusio between the Duomo and the Castello Sforzesco, the entire 800-meter-long tract is usually referred to as Corso Magenta.
It is named after the town of Magenta, which is located in the westernmost part of the Lombardy Region. Magenta, or more precisely the countryside around it, was the site of a famous battle during the Second Italian War of Independence of 1859 in which the Italian-French coalition defeated the Austrians and paved the way for Italy's annexation of Lombardy. The color Magenta is named after this battle, for it was the color of the French troops' uniforms - purplish-red.
Corso Magenta is also the location of the famous Pasticceria Marchesi. This family pastry shop was founded in 1824 in a building from the 18th century. It has perfectly preserved the early 20th century atmosphere with coffer ceilings and the steel and brass furniture, lamps, mirrors and bar. The range of products that the shop produces is endless, however, lately there has been a great demand for its chocolate masterpieces. The busiest time of day for the shop is the morning, when the Milanese drink their cappuccinos and gorge on the sweets before going to work or the university.