Caravanserraglio Lounge & Moto Atelier

Milan: it’s the the city of fashion, design, bustling life and aperitivos. A city where day by day new and modern buildings are constructed, yet it still preserves its historic ones. Behind the grand doors of these ancient buildings, often made of fabulous solid wood and heavy brass handles, courtyards full of surprises are hidden. Among these, for example, you can find Caravanserraglio. If you haven’t heard of it yet, all the more reason for me to share this discovery with you!

Caravanserraglio is a lounge located in the Navigli area of Milan, specifically at Via Villoresi 12 inside a courtyard. It’s an old industrial warehouse turned into a welcoming and alternative venue, where events can be organized. You could celebrate your birthday party, but it could just as easily be the right place for a business meeting, a presentation, or even a set for a photoshoot! But in addition to being a space for rentable events, it’s also a meeting place to have a drink with friends or sit on a sofa and do some smartworking, relax with music, or read a book. Upon entering the venue, the first impression is a “WOW effect”; there are travel and motorcycle-themed details and furnishings, like a tire turned into a coffee table or an old African Twin engine as a small table. The space isn’t too large, but it’s well organized over two floors. Different spaces have been created, including a small kitchen with a counter, lounge areas, and even some seats outside. And then, as a gem of this motorcycle workshop, on the right side of the entrance, you can see a huge showcase behind which a charming workshop is displayed. Yes, a real workshop! This means that while you’re sipping a drink, you can also have your motorcycle repaired (by appointment, of course).

All the details you notice as you look around: the globe, the photos, the motorcycles, the scattered cushions like those of a tent in the desert (which seem randomly placed but have actually been carefully arranged) create an adventurous atmosphere and bring to mind something that is now increasingly known: the Dakar. Obviously, this isn’t a coincidence, because Lorenzo Piolini, the owner of Caravanserraglio, is also a rider in the famous desert race.

HOW WAS CARAVANSERRAGLIO BORN?

Lorenzo, a guy who, as soon as he turned eighteen, decided to set off alone and travel the world on a motorcycle. His (mis)adventures now reward him with a splendid venue and the status of becoming a rider in the off-road world.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS ALONE

Lorenzo: “After turning eighteen, I started traveling in Europe, continuing on to India, Nepal, Thailand, and Cambodia. Today I’m 33 years old, and I’ve explored seventy countries on a motorcycle and always solo. With this 1961 Royal Enfield 350 that you see displayed, I explored India and managed to reach a high pass at 5,600 meters! Among my significant adventures, I can mention a solo around-the-world trip in just 80 days and a year-long crossing of the Americas, from Argentina to Alaska. Almost everything has always been off-road, which later facilitated my participation in many international races. For years, I always set off on adventures, sleeping in a tent and facing many difficult situations. The bikes often broke down, and I had to figure things out. Fortunately, before I left, I worked at KTM and learned to make small repairs to the motorcycle. It was often tough; I went hungry and cried out of despair. But despite everything, I understood that I loved it a lot, and I wanted to continue doing it for the rest of my life. After years of coming back and then setting off again (with the premise that I wasn’t running away from anything, but just wanted to see more), I decided to stop. The only place I considered valid for doing this was my home, where my mom is, where they speak my language, where I eat a plate of pasta. So the idea was: I need to stop, but I want to make sure the world continues to pass through me. So I thought of opening a place where people can gather with friends and others who share the same passion, tell their adventures, put a map on the table and dream about the next trip. (And by trip, I don’t just mean on a motorcycle; it can be done in any way.) So, in 2018, CARAVANSERRAGLIO was born, in the hope of involving more and more people in approaching and becoming curious about races, the world of two wheels. It’s a great satisfaction for me when people come in here and feel at home.”

Christina: How did you become a Dakar rider?

Lorenzo: I set off with an African Twin for South America the same year the Dakar was taking place there. By accident, I ended up in the race, finding myself in the midst of it and at that point pretending to be a participant. I made it to the finish line. It was an absurd experience! That very day, I set myself the goal of being able to participate again, but officially. And so, in 2021, I crowned my dream, becoming a rider and participating in the Dakar with the support of the KTM team. It was tough, but the beauty of the Dakar is that you have no enemies, we’re not adversaries. It’s not a race against each other, but we’re all united against the clock, and that’s it. The Dakar is a way of life. Do you know how many people have lost the world championship to stop and help someone?! More and more women are participating, in off-road in general, and they’re really good. I know some of them very well, like Laia Sanz and Sara Garcia.”

“SINCE I HAVE TO STOP, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE WORLD CONTINUES TO PASS THROUGH ME”

It was really nice to be transported through his memories of his adventures, and I understood that Caravanserraglio is a REAL place. Each item on display isn’t just any motorcycle-themed decoration, but it’s an original piece that bears witness to a real story. You really have to come and see it! Moreover, it’s very easy to reach even by public transport. From Milan Porta Genova, it’s only three bus stops, and the stop is right in front of the entrance.

P.S.: Since it’s not a regular bar/restaurant, to order a drink at the counter and participate in some events that Caravanserraglio organizes, it’s necessary to join their Club and receive an annual membership card (which practically costs the same as a drink).

Follow Lorenzo and Caravanserraglio on social media: instagram lorenzopiolini4 , caravanserraglio_milano