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From Mediolanum to Milano: Ancient Archaeology
Everything Antiquity Newsletter, Ed 2
As I make my way to Milano this Summer, I’ve delved more into the various ancient sites across the city.
While the city has a fascinating history, it is often overshadowed by the sheer amount of archaeological sites and excavations of Southern Italy.
In this newsletter, I want to highlight some of the interesting archaeological and historical sites of Milano.
There were previously two churches and a baptistery where the Duomo sits
The Duomo di Milano is one of the city's most iconic sites for both tourism and archaeology.
What is often skimmed over is the history of what lies beneath the Duomo: the remains of Roman-era cathedrals and baptisteries.
Most interesting is The San Giovanni alle Fonti Baptistery, an octagonal pool where early Christians would have been baptized.
Other Notable sites include the “Crypt of St. Charles” and the treasury room (where objects of religious importance are stored).
These sites show us the foundations of early Christian movements and the rise of Catholicism in Italy.
Read about more Imperial Roman culture
Emperor Maximianus moved the Imperial Palace to Milano
Taking up a block in an unassuming neighborhood within the city lies the remains of a Roman Imperial Palace.
Many assume that the seat of the Roman Empire stayed in Rome for the entirety of its existence; however, during the West-East split of the empire, Emperor Maximianus moved the capital to Milano.
