About
The Arco della Pace, also known as the Arch of Peace, is a neoclassical triumphal arch in Milan, Lombardy. It stands at Piazza Sempione, at the western end of the city centre, where it marks a gateway into the old city. The monument was built to celebrate peace in Europe after Napoleon's defeat, and its classical form makes it one of the most recognisable landmarks in Milan.
What to expect
The arch is a monument to see from the outside. Visitors come to walk around it, study its sculptural decoration and take in its proportions against the open square. Because it sits on a large piazza, it is easy to view from several sides and to photograph in good light.
Around the arch
- The Piazza Sempione, a broad open space at the edge of the centre
- The wider streets and parkland of the western part of Milan
- The historic core of the city, reachable on foot or by public transport
A visit suits anyone interested in neoclassical architecture, in Napoleonic-era monuments, or in the architectural character of Milan. It works well as a short stop within a longer walk through the city, combined with time spent in the surrounding streets and squares.