The colonnade, consisting mainly of 16 tall Corinthian columns in a row, now fronts an open square.

[1] South of the columns, one of the medieval gates still has some Roman marble decoration in place.

In the 16th century, in preparations for a celebratory entrance into Milan of the monarch King Philip II of Spain, it was proposed to raze the colonnade to widen the route; Ferrante Gonzaga declined the suggestion.

Despite the plans to conserve this ancient urban fabric, the renovations led to the demolition of the old houses and the isolation of the monument on the front side.

Following bombing during World War II, the church complex became isolated also on the rear side, where the fenced Basilicas Park now stands, allowing popular views of the Basilica.