Colonne di San Lorenzo Milan

De Romeinse zuilen bij de Basilica di San Lorenzo di Milano

The Colonne di San Lorenzo (Columns of St. Lawrence) is a group of ancient Roman columns in the center of Milan, located opposite the Basilica of San Lorenzo.

The powerful appearance of the Colonne di San Lorenzo

When you go to the Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore (Saint Lawrence Church of Milan) in Milan (for a church visit you don't needto go, as there are much better churches in Milan), you can't miss the striking Colonne di San Lorenzo. This concerns sixteen marble Corinthian columns and they probably came from an old bathhouse or former temple. Remains of a bathhouse and amphitheater have been found nearby. However, the columns have not always been here. When the church was rebuilt after various tragedies (fire, collapse of the large chapel), the columns were placed on the edge of the square in front of the church.

The square near the Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore

It may be hard to imagine now, but in the past the whole church was surrounded by old houses. Some of it can still be recognized, but most of it - both the front and back - has unfortunately been demolished to allow renovation work to be carried out on the church or suffered during the Second World War when the Brera district around the church was bombed. The square with the Statua di Constatino was created at the front and a park was developed at the backside of the church. This park is officially called Parco Papa Giovanni Paolo II, but is locally called Parco delle Basiliche.

^{The Milan square with Colonne di San Lorenzo}

^{The San Lorenzo, or the St. Lawrence Church of Milan}

Where is the Colonne di San Lorenzo?