The Holes in Piazza Repubblica

Thousands of people pass through the busy Piazza Repubblica everyday, but few will notice the peculiarity of the electricity poles.

Over the nights of August 8th, 13th, 15th & 16th in 1944, the Allied Forces intensified bombing & air attacks on the city centre, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties and ultimate surrender on September 8th, following the signing of the armistice by the Badoglio government.

Once the war had ended, Milan rose from its ashes and quickly became the symbol of the post-war economic boom in Europe.

Few traces remain of Milans darkest hour, but there are still small reminders, including those poles in Piazza Republicca, positioned towards Viale Monte Santo (to the left of the square looking towards the Central Station), in the area of ​​the tram tracks. Huge gashes left by bomb shrapnel that ripped through the very centre of the city, still bring back old and painful memories.