The Devil’s Column – Colonna del Diavolo

Standing outside the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan, the Devil’s Column (Colonna del Diavolo) is a simple yet infamous stone pillar that has fueled dark legends for centuries. The column features two distinct holes, which, according to legend, were created when the Devil himself slammed his horns against it in frustration.

The story goes that Saint Ambrose, Milan’s patron saint, was engaged in a heated battle of wills with the Devil. As the saint resisted temptation, the enraged Devil charged at him but missed, smashing his horns into the column instead. Some claim that if you place your ear to the holes, you can hear whispers from Hell.

Another legend states that the holes serve as a portal, and at certain times, an unholy stench seeps from them, a sign of the underworld lurking beneath. Despite its sinister reputation, the column remains a popular curiosity, standing as an eerie relic of Milan’s supernatural folklore.