The Columns of San Lorenzo (Colonne di San Lorenzo) bring ancient Rome into the middle of modern Milan. Sixteen Corinthian columns stand along Corso di Porta Ticinese, facing the Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore. Their pale stone and worn capitals make a striking contrast with the trams, cafés and traffic passing nearby.
The columns date largely from the 2nd or 3rd century AD and are thought to have been salvaged from an earlier Roman building, possibly a temple or bath complex. They were moved here in late antiquity, when Milan, then known as Mediolanum, was an imperial capital. Together with the early Christian basilica behind them, they offer a glimpse of the city's layered Roman and religious history.
The square is also one of Milan's most sociable meeting places, especially in the evening when people gather around the columns before heading to nearby bars or the Navigli district. Visit in the morning for a quieter look, or come in late afternoon for softer light. The columns are outdoors and free to see at any time; allow extra time for the basilica and its Cappella di Sant'Aquilino, known for its early Christian mosaics. Check the chapel's opening hours before visiting, and avoid climbing on the protected stones.