Italian city best known in Europe, symbol of fashion and economy of the Belpaese, Milan is certainly among the most known and appreciated places in the world. Despite being a crossroads of tourists, entrepreneurs, famous people and cosmopolitans in constant movement, not everyone perhaps knows that, under its luxurious buildings and art galleries, hides a real underground city.
Back in 286 AD, Milan was elected capital of the Western Roman Empire with the name of Mediolanum. At that time the empire was as extensive as it was problematic; for this reason, the emperor Diocletian decided to divide the territories into two large areas, one east and one west of Rome, entrusting them to two of his “deputies”. It was the beginning of the so-called tetrarchy, that is a government of 4 men (2 Augusti and 2 Cesari) with two imperial capitals.
Fonte: dal web
The western area was entrusted by Diocletian to Maximian Herculean, valiant general, who chose Mediolanum as the central seat of his court. The decision was not made at random, anything: the city was in a strategic position, in the middle of a plain where the main Roman roads crossed and the movements were definitely simplified.
Thanks to Massimiano Erculeo, Mediolanum was revised and modernized: he was responsible, in fact, for the construction of a circus, the imperial palace, a horreum (that is, a warehouse for foodstuffs) and the Herculean baths.
Shortly after the establishment of the tetrarchy, another emperor chose Mediolanum as a location to celebrate the wedding of his daughter and to sign the document that granted freedom of worship to all citizens: it was Constantine and the document was the famous Edict of Milan.
What remains of Mediolanum today?
The few historical references narrated so far are enough to understand the importance of Mediolanum for the entire Roman Empire, in particular for the West; but after centuries, what is left of the glorious Roman city?
The Imperial Palace
In Via Brisa is the famous residence of the emperor, that is the Imperial Palace, or rather what remains of it. The open-air exhibits are surrounded by post-war buildings, so it can be hard to imagine the grandeur of the time, but with a little imagination you can take a journey into the past!
Fonte: dal web
The Forum
Below Piazza San Sepolcro, not far from the Duomo, there is the Forum, the ancient beating heart of the ancient city of Mediolanum. The area extended for about 160 meters in length and 55 meters in width and welcomed the Capitolium, the Basilica, the Curia, the macellum and the tabernae.
Fonte: dal web
The Columns and the Basilica of San Lorenzo
Among the most evocative places of nightlife in Milan are the Columns of San Lorenzo, deriving from an unknown building dating back to the second century A.D. They are located in an area then extra
urban, next to one of the most important religious symbols: the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Its structure, partly of early Christian age, was later enriched with typical medieval and Mannerist features. Inside it houses the Chapel of Sant’Aquilino and the Chapel of Sant’Ippolito.
Fonte: dal web
Le Terme Erculee
In the north east of the center of Milan you can admire the remains of the Herculean Baths, especially inside the Church of San Vito in Pasquirolo. In front of the facade of the church there are fragments of floor and bottoms of tanks, while a little further away there is a trap door through which you arrive in an underground room where part of the hypocaust is still preserved.
Fonte: dal web
The Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
Among the remains of Mediolanum it is impossible not to mention the second church in Milan, the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, patron saint of the city. The basilica is located in the square of the same name, near the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. Built during the fourth century by order of Bishop Ambrose, inside it houses the Sarcophagus of Stilicho, a Roman general of Germanic origin.
Fonte: dal web
The Colosseum in Milan
Not only Rome: Milan also had a Colosseum! Even today you can admire some remains of the Roman amphitheater dating back to the first century A.D. that can accommodate 20 thousand spectators, the third largest after the Colosseum and the amphitheater of Capua. Its rediscovery took place in the thirties, by chance the remains are now visible in the Ticinese area, between Via De Amicis and Conca del Naviglio.
Fonte: dal web
The most passionate about history and archaeology, in addition to the various monuments mentioned so far, it is recommended to visit the Archaeological Museum in the Corso Magenta area, where there are many other remains dating back to the ancient city of Mediolanum and thanks to which you can discover interesting details and stories never heard before yet unforgettable.
Copertina: dal web
