Porta Giovia, Roman city gate in Milan, Italy
Porta Giovia was a Roman city gate in Milan, standing at the northern end of Via San Giovanni sul Muro and controlling the road toward Castelseprio. Its exact location now lies beneath the grounds of Sforza Castle.
The gate was built in Roman times as part of Milan's northern city walls, marking the main entrance from that side. It was torn down in 1162 to make way for a fortress that later became Sforza Castle.
The gate's name comes from Jupiter, the Roman god, reflecting how the Romans dedicated city entrances to deities. This religious naming practice shows how deeply spiritual beliefs shaped the design of the city's boundaries.
Since the gate no longer exists, there is nothing to see on the spot, but Sforza Castle, which stands on the same ground, is open to visitors. Walking around the castle gives a good sense of how this northern point once anchored the edge of the ancient city.
Roman tombstones that once stood near the gate were later built into the walls of the Basilica of San Simpliciano, near Corso Garibaldi. Visitors to that church can still see these reused stones today, which is a direct physical link to the gate's original location.
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