Milano's Devil's Column besieged by careless outdoor seating

The so-called 'Colonna del Diavolo' (Devil's Column) in Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, is currently surrounded by a poorly maintained outdoor seating area (dehors) that obstructs view and access to the ancient monument. The column, made of precious cipollino marble from the island of Euboea in Greece, dates to the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD, when Mediolanum was the capital of the Western Roman Empire. It is a rare surviving testimony of that era. A legend, recounted by comedian Giovanni Storti on the TV program Kilimangiaro on June 11, 2023, tells of Saint Ambrose and the devil: the devil tried to gore the saint but missed and embedded his horns in the column, leaving two holes. Storti lamented that the column is now surrounded by tables and chairs, making it impossible to approach. The column also has historical significance: according to 14th-century chronicler Galvano Fiamma, Holy Roman emperors had to embrace it to be crowned King of Italy. The article criticizes Milan's neglect of archaeological heritage, citing other examples like the San Lorenzo basilica's apse covered in graffiti and the destruction of ancient remains during metro construction. The new superintendent Emanuela Carpani is urged to protect the column.