Recently my Austrlian Penpal sent me photos from his trip to Milan, Italy, including photos of the Porta Sempione. The centerpiece of this city gate is the
Arco della Pace, or Arch of Peace, designed by
Luigi Cagnola in the early 19th century.
The arch replaced an ancient Roman wall and gateway which were called Jupiter's gate or
Porta Giovia. The significance behind the arch remains a mystery. It was either built in wood in 1806 for the marriage of Eugene Beauharnais with a Bavarian princess and later recreated in more permanent marble, or was designed for Napolean in 1807. Either way the arch wasn't completed until 1838 for Emperor Francis II, 5 years after Cagnola's death. Flanking the arch are exquisite neoclassical customs houses.
Other than the iconic Parisian
Arc de Triomphe it remains the largest structure of its kind.
The construction of the sculpture reliefs are not only marble but also wood, bronze, and stucco.
If you find yourself in Milan, take a break from shopping to check out the
Aro della Pace!
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