Archaeological Milan

Continue toward the Civic Archaeological Museum (Civico Museo Archeologico), housed in the ancient Monastero Maggiore on Corso Magenta. The collections tell the story of Milan when, known as Mediolanum, it served as a key capital of the Western Roman Empire. These exhibits are displayed alongside ancient Greek, Etruscan, and Early Medieval artifacts. Within the complex, a tower from the Roman city walls and a tower from the late antique circus are still visible today.

Next to the museum, the Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is well worth a visit. Often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Milan, it is renowned for its 16th-century fresco cycle by Bernardino Luini and his school. The building stands on a site containing significant remains of the Roman city, which were partly incorporated into its walls.

Heading toward the Castle, a short detour down Via Brisa reveals the remains of the imperial palace built when Milan was the capital of the Western Roman Empire. The ruins can be viewed directly from the street free of charge.

The itinerary ends at the Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco), home to the newly updated Egyptian Gallery featuring deities, funerary practices, everyday objects, sarcophagi, and artifacts from Italian excavations in the Fayum region. Before heading down to the Egyptian rooms, it is worth strolling through the castle courtyards: the Corte Ducale and the Rocchetta introduce the complex network of civic museums housed within the castle, ranging from ancient art collections to Michelangelo’s Rondanini Pietà.

The gallery, historically known as the Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio), reopened in 2026 with a brand-new display design in the underground spaces of the castle. This final stop connects Milan’s history to a broader Mediterranean horizon, bringing your journey full circle after exploring Etruscan heritage and Imperial Milan.