Mausoleo imperiale di San Vittore al Corpo

The Imperial Mausoleum of San Vittore al Corpo is an octagonal Roman structure in Milan with eight niches divided by columns. The walls are built from gray marble, and the floor still shows remains of geometric patterns from ancient times.

The mausoleum was built in the 4th century when the western part of the Roman Empire was at its peak, and Milan served as an important capital. It likely held the tombs of the imperial family that ruled the region at that time.

The name honors Saint Victor, an early Christian martyr revered in Milan. The site shows how people of that time decorated tombs with religious symbols and blended Roman and Christian traditions together.

The mausoleum is located in the basement of the San Vittore al Corpo church, which now houses the National Museum of Science and Technology. Visitors can explore the Roman remains when they visit the museum.

Excavations between 1950 and 1977 uncovered about 90 high-status burials at this location. These discoveries revealed that both Christian and pagan burial practices existed side by side.