Institutional portal - Municipality of Milan

It is the second important discovery at the construction site. The structure will be relocated to the area of ​​the Roman Amphitheatre. Various hypotheses on its origin: from the medieval defensive wall system to the Pusterla dei Fabbri, up to the hydraulic network of the late ancient or medieval period 

Milan, February 4 2021 - Activities for the removal of archaeological finds on the construction site of the De Amicis station are underway in recent days.  
In the work area for the construction of M4, the new Milan metro, the remains of an angular wall structure were brought to light in correspondence with the future concourse of the station.  
The side along the axis of Via De Amicis probably constitutes the north bank of the San Girolamo canal. A structure had already been found here which will be reassembled in the square of the future metro station.   
The side parallel to via Cesare Correnti could be connected to the Pusterla dei Fabbri or to the hydraulic network of the late ancient or medieval period. However, it cannot be ruled out that the structure could also be the foundation of a tower with defensive functions or linked to the presence of water entering Milan.   
  
To shed more light on the origins of the structure and its functions, on the indications of the Superintendence, M4 is editing a monographic publication which, in addition to historical topographic insights, cognitive studies on the material composition and construction technique, edited by experts of the material, will also tell the various phases of work on site for its dismantling and relocation.  
  
The structure is imposing and monumental both from the point of view of its dimensions (height of approximately 2,5 metres, length of the sides of approximately 10 metres, thickness greater than 2 metres) and its workmanship. It is composed of ashlar-worked stone blocks, with the signs of the joints for the "olivelle", the presence of functional elements for a system for water regulation. These are probably recycled materials from Roman monuments such as the Theater or the Amphitheatre.  
  
And it is precisely in the area where the Roman Amphitheater once stood that the wall will be relocated after its dismantling and removal from the M4 construction site area.   
  
The area of ​​the Roman Amphitheater is today the subject of redevelopment works by the Superintendency for the creation of the future "Pan", the Amphitheatrum naturae Park, the largest archaeological park in Lombardy, located in the heart of the city, between via Arena and via Conca del Naviglio, in Ticinese. In that area, a new large elliptical garden will be created with greenery, between hedges and bushes of boxwood, myrtle, privet and over one hundred cypresses, around the amphitheater plan, reconstructed on the model of the one that existed in Roman times; a "green archaeology" project inspired by the theme of symbiosis between vegetation and archaeological remains.