Not many people known that Milan was the capital city of the Western Roman Empire during the reign of Imperator Diocletian, nor that right here emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan that allowed Christianity to become the dominant religion in the Empire. Just bits and pieces remained from this glorious historical period, however, if you try hard enough you may collect all these pieces and try to imagine how Milan once looked like. There are in total 14 ancient sights that are connected to the Roman period and testify of the importance of this city. All of these 14 sights will be covered on this page.
During the period of the Roman Empire, one of the largest amphitheaters in northern Italy was constructed outside the city walls of Milan. This typical Roman building with elliptical arena and a real bonanza for spectators was a scene of many gladiator duels, duels between animals and men, executions of individuals condemned to fight the beasts and even naval battles. It had some impressive 20,000 seats. During the 5th century when the building lost its main purpose, the construction materials were taken from it and reused for new buildings (for example Basilica of Sent Lorenzo) and in order to reinforce some parts of the city walls.
Basilica of San Nazaro is yet another church built in the 4th century by Sent Ambrose. Sent Ambrose, who at that time was a bishop, pledged the construction of four basilicas to the citizens of Milan each dedicated to different groups of saints, since at the time it was not a custom to dedicate one church to one saint. Therefore, 4 basilicas (nonexistent any more) were constructed in dedication and awe of prophets - martyrs (Basilica of Sent Ambrogio), virgins (Basilica of Sent Simpliciano), apostles (Basilica of San Nazaro).
In the yard of the Archeological Museum there are two towers, one of which is the only surviving tower of the great defensive complex that once protected the city. It was built in the 3rd century AD, and afterwards when it lost its purpose it was transformed into a chapel of the monastery of Saint Maurizio. This is why there are still visible frescos from the 13th and 14th century inside the tower.
Underneath the buildings of the Stock Exchange and Chamber of Commerce there are remains of the Roman Theatre built in the 1st century AD. These remains were unearthed in the 1930s during the excavations for the foundations of the two buildings. The theatre is assumed to have been 20 meters high with a diameter of 95 meters and the seating capacity of around 8,000 seats. Since Mediolanum was inhabited by the Celts, the purpose of the theatre was not only the entertainment but it also served as a means to spread the Latin language and culture.
The Roman Circus was a large open venue used for public events in the Ancient Roman Empire. It was one of the main entertainment sites of the time. Chariot races, horse races, important events of the Empire and even reenactments of naval battles were held here. There is not much left of Milan’s Circus now, only one of the alleged two twin towers (the other one is ruined). This tower, square in shape, was transformed into a bell tower of Maggiore Monastery in the 8th -9th century. It is located in the yard of the Archeological museum along with the only existing defensive tower of the city walls.
