Colonna del Leone, Stone monument in San Babila Square, Milan, Italy

The Colonna del Leone is a stone monument in Piazza San Babila, consisting of a marble column set on a brick base and topped by a lion statue of unknown, possibly late-medieval origin. The column was made in 1628 by Giuseppe Robecco for Count Carlo Serbelloni.

The lion statue on top is of unknown origin, possibly late medieval; an inscription once on the base's east side linked it to Porta Orientale and an unidentified Milanese victory. In 1549 prefect Catilliano Cotta added a brick base, and a 16th-century account states the monument came from an iron lion taken from the Venetians. In 1628 Count Carlo Serbelloni funded the marble column, built by Giuseppe Robecco. Damaged in 1943 bombings, it was restored in 1986 and moved toward the church in 1969 during metro works.

The lion atop the column refers to the ancient Porta Orientale gate and serves as a symbol of Milan's civic identity. The figure connects the city to its medieval past and the significance of its historic gateways.

The monument sits in a public square and is freely accessible, making it easy to visit during a walk through the area. The best views are found from different angles around the plaza, allowing you to see the sculpture's details and its placement clearly.

A 16th-century account records that the lion on the column came from an iron lion taken from the Venetians, not from the marble column itself. The column was only added in 1628, when Count Carlo Serbelloni paid for it and entrusted the work to Giuseppe Robecco.