Restoration of the Spanish Walls and the Arch of Porta Romana, Milan

The foundation stone of the walls was laid on 22 March 1548, near Porta Orientale. They constitute the most grandiose urban fortification in Europe, originally measuring 18,701 braccia (approximately 2,000 metres) in length. In 1598, Porta Romana was built for the solemn entry into Milan of Princess Margaret of Austria. Under Austrian administration, the walls were rarely maintained, and their main function was to delimit the city. During the Napoleonic era, the defensive structures were dismantled to make way for the Foro Bonaparte and the tree-lined avenue. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the process of gradual destruction continued, culminating after the Second World War.