Arco della Pace

Within the central park of Milan, Parco Sempione, you will find the landmark city gate of Milan, Porta Sempione. The original city gate was part of the Roman wall of Milan. Although these days little of these Roman walls remain. Many of the stones of the Roman walls have also been reused to construct buildings in Milan.

A part of the city gate is the aesthetic Arch of Peace, or in Italian the Arco della Pace. This impressive arch that stands over 25 meters tall, which is 82 feet, is one of the most well designed triumphal arches in Europe. The construction of this arch started under the rule of Napoleon, who wished a triumphal arch marking the road that connected Milan to Paris.

The arch has bronze statues on it facing the city, with the classical Roman god Minerva standing on top. In the pillars you will find impressions of Apollo and Mars. Besides Roman mythology the decorations of the arch also portray major historical events in Europe.