Milan's Ancient Amphitheater to Be Recreated as a Green Park

Milan's ancient Roman amphitheater, once nearly as large as the Colosseum and capable of holding 35,000 spectators, was destroyed between the late 4th and early 5th centuries to build the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Its radial walls were rediscovered in 1973. Now, a major urban regeneration project called Amphitheatrum naturae will transform the site on Via De Amicis into an elliptical garden of about 22,400 square meters, tracing the original footprint. The project is led by the Soprintendenza archeologica delle belle arti e del paesaggio, with architect Antonella Ranaldi as superintendent. The city-owned land will be granted free use for five years. The central arena will remain open for performances, while trees and shrubs like boxwood, privet, myrtle, and cypress will be planted in buried pots along the ellipse to evoke the ancient structure. The site is near the Columns of San Lorenzo and will connect to a circuit including the Antiquarium and the studio of artist Alik Cavaliere. This is part of Milan's broader green transformation, following projects like Stefano Boeri's Bosco Verticale and the new Policlinico with a rooftop garden, set to open in 2019.