Porta Romana was the first and the main imperial entrance of the entire city of Milan, as it was the starting point of the road leading to Ancient Rome.

The Roman walls of Milan already had a gate facing in the same direction as Porta Romana; yet it was located much closer to the city centre, in a place that corresponds to what is now Piazza Missori.

In the Middle Ages (12th century) the walls were enlarged, and the gate was moved outwards in the direction of modern Corso di Porta Venezia.

The area around the Porta Romana gate is one of the historic districts (rioni) of Milan; the rione had its own coat of arms, vermilion red.

[2] Much of the activity today centres on the Policlinico hospital and the famous Bocconi University so there is a young population by day, although there is not the same student buzz here as in other parts of the city.