Biking along the ancient gateways of Milan

Discover bites of Milanese history through the city walls and Milan's ancient "Porte" (gates)

Overview

Milan is an ancient town which boasts even Roman remains in its historic city centre. The city possesses the signs of different eras and centuries, each characterised by diverse art, culture and tradition. Its gates and fortification walls can still recount a complicated and colourful history. In addition to being the entry point to the old, most extensive urban walls in Europe, the gates of Milan have become the identifying symbol of the area where a Milanese person lives.  Let us discover nine of Milan’s original eleven entrance gates that allow a deeper understanding of the city’s history and structure. Each one of them possesses distinctive elements of hidden traditions and curious backgrounds. We wil explore Porta Garibaldi, Porta Lodovica, Porta Magenta, Porta Nuova, Porta Romana, Porta Sempione, Porta Volta, Porta Ticinese, Porta Venezia, Porta Vigentina and Porta Vittoria. These gates represent different times of construction and diverse functions and purposes, recounting Roman and Medieval times, as well as French, Austrian and Spanish occupation.