The first ancient Roman fortress of Milano

 

Approximate reconstruction of the first roman fort in Milan

The first Roman encampment in Milan is thought to date to around the mid-2nd century BC, shortly after the conquest of the city from the Insubrian Gauls (222 BC).
This Republican encampment was likely permanent, as it represented a crucial hub for the stable control of the strategic routes toward the Alps and for the ensuing military Romanization of Cisalpine Gaul.

The Cardo Maximus ran along the present-day axis of Via Cantù and Via Nerino. The Porta Praetoria, the main gate of the castrum, was located in the area of today’s Carrobbio, where the so-called Torraccia (or Torre dei Malsani) is still visible—a polygonal tower that formed part of the fortifications. The Porta Decumana was situated in the area between Piazza della Scala and the beginning of Via Manzoni (formerly Porta Orientale). This was the rear gate of the encampment.

The Decumanus Maximus followed the route of Via Santa Maria Fulcorina and Via delle Asole/Via Unione. The Porta Principalis Sinistra corresponded to the ancient Porta Vercellina, located at the junction of today’s Via Meravigli, Via Magenta, and Via San Giovanni sul Muro. The Porta Principalis Dextra corresponded to the first Porta Romana, located in what is now Piazza Missori. It marked the starting point of the Via Aemilia, the fundamental road connecting Milan to Rome via Lodi and Piacenza.

The intersection of the Cardo Maximus and the Decumanus Maximus corresponds to the present-day Piazza San Sepolcro. In antiquity, this area housed the building that served as the headquarter of the fort.

The Cardo Maximus and the Decumano Maximus

Reconstruction of Porta Pretoria (Picture by https//blog.urbanfile.org)