The Arch of Peace is an excellent example of neoclassical architecture. The former gate resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and was similarly built under the order of Napoleon in the 19th century. Today the arch is a picturesque entrance to Sempione Park and is a must-see for architecture buffs visiting Milan.
A gate stood on this site long before Napoleon requested his arch. Porta Sempione was a gate to the city during Roman times, when a wall surrounded what is now the historic centre. The Arch of Peace you see today is 25 metres (82 feet) high and 24 metres (79 feet) wide.
Reach the arch through Sempione Park or along Corso Sempione, a long restaurant-lined boulevard that leads away from the city centre. It’s worth spending time in the park, which has huge trees, flowerbeds and wild gardens. The green of the park provides a perfect backdrop to the marble arch, so have a camera at the ready.
Get close to the arch to see the elaborate designs on its façade. See marble and bronze statues depicting key historical events in Italy’s history, such as the Congress of Vienna and the Battle of Leipzig. Spot Mars, Minerva and Apollo. The crowning glory is a statue of the Chariot of Peace with its six horses that sits atop the arch. The sculpture was carved by Abbondio Sangiorgio, who was also responsible for pieces at the Palazzo Reale and other significant monuments in Milan.
The Arch of Peace is located just outside the historic centre of Milan. There’s no fee to visit. To get there, hire a bicycle and ride through Sempione Park or take the metro. You’ll find plenty of street parks if you choose to come by car. Head further down Corso Sempione for trattorias serving pizza and pasta, and bars that fill with revellers on weekends.
