However, several of the city’s most surprising finds are housed in the city’s most important religious buildings. Although the Duomo, Milan’s imposing Gothic cathedral needs no introduction, not everyone knows that from its interior visitors can access a real subterranean archaeological area dating back to the late Roman era. From the earliest centuries, the area was home to numerous religious buildings, many of which were commissioned and frequented by Sant’Ambrogio, a key figure of early Christianity. Another of Milan’s most important and revered churches, the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio is, in fact, dedicated to him. Here, even older remains can be found in the underground areas of this medieval church.

The same applies to San Simpliciano and Sant’Eustorgio, which houses a beautifully preserved early Christian apse and an early Christian cemetery. Also particularly notewor thy is San Lorenzo in the Porta Ticinese area.
In addition to the church, which was also built on the remains of a previous building, this area of the city is renowned for the Colonne di San Lorenzo (the Columns of San Lorenzo). Although the complex has been partially rebuilt, and the place bears little or no resemblance to its Roman predecessor, the colonnade is one of Milan’s best-loved symbols and a site that is often used for bacchanalias reminiscent of Roman times.