Can you close your eyes and imagine the Teatro Romano? It stands here, right in front of you. You can feel the history, the stories from the past, the laughs and the screams of the people who once stood here. This theatre, the first of its kind in Mediolanum, was built around 8,000 years ago. It was the place to be for entertainment. The people of Mediolanum, the ancient name of Milan, loved to gather in the amphitheater to watch performances and gladiatorial games. The Romans weren’t known for their subtle entertainment but the Teatro was also used for other things like meetings of the Senate and political gatherings. It continued to be used for almost five hundred years even after the decline of the Roman Empire. The Teatro housed many stories and witnessed the lives of the people of Mediolanum. Then, in 1162, everything changed. The city was destroyed by Frederick Barbarossa, the Holy Roman Emperor, and the Teatro was forgotten.
Only in the 1800s, with the construction of buildings, were the ruins of the Teatro discovered unexpectedly. The remains were fascinating, but the people of that time were preoccupied with modernization – they didn’t yet understand the importance of the Teatro. It was not until 1929, during the construction of the Stock Exchange, that the ruins were finally recognized as the actual Teatro Romano. The ruins were studied, and now they stand as a reminder of Milan’s rich and fascinating history. In 2008, the remains of the Teatro have been transformed into a museum where visitors can feel the history and imagination of the Teatro. It’s an incredible opportunity to get a glimpse into the past!