Started in 1807 by Luigi Cagnola, in full Napoleonic euphoria, the Arch is located in the center of the large Sempione square . The construction work was interrupted after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo and completed by Francesco I of Austria, who wanted to dedicate the Arch to the Peace.
"A Moveable Feast" by Hemingway shows the mistaken belief that the Peace Arch is aligned with the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Arc de Triomphe Etoile in Paris. Originally the enormous sestiga bronze was directed towards France, but with the changing of the political horizons and the passage of the Milan Austria sestiga was turned towards the city.
On top of the monument, built in granite and marble tiles, stands out the group of bronze statues depicting "The sestiga of the Peace" accompanied by four "Wins on horseback."
In front are represented personifications of the rivers of the Lombardo-Veneto: Po, Ticino, Adda and Tagliamento.