One of the most fascinating of these traditions is linked to the story of the Three Kings, also known as the Magi, and to one of Milan’s most important historical churches:
the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio.This basilica is not only a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, but also a symbolic place connected to one of the most evocative moments of the Christian calendar:
Epiphany. Every year, on 6 January, Milan celebrates the journey of the Magi with a historic procession that links the heart of the city to this ancient basilica.
A place of legend and devotion
Located near the Navigli area, the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio is one of the oldest churches in Milan.
According to tradition, it was founded in the 4th century by Saint Eustorgius, bishop of Milan, and quickly became a place of pilgrimage.
What makes this basilica truly unique is its historical connection to the Three Kings, the wise men from the East who followed the star to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn Jesus, as told in the Gospel of Matthew.
For centuries, Milan claimed to be the city that safeguarded the relics of the Magi.
Inside the basilica, visitors can still see the large ancient stone sarcophagus traditionally associated with their tomb, a silent witness to a story that blends faith, legend and history.
The arrival of the Magi’s relics in Milan
According to medieval tradition, the relics of the Three Kings were brought to Milan from the East by Saint Eustorgius himself.
Legend says that the saint received the relics in Constantinople and transported them to Milan on an ox cart.
When the cart stopped and refused to move, Eustorgius interpreted it as a divine sign and decided to build a church on that very spot: today’s Sant’Eustorgio.
Whether legend or historical reality, the presence of the relics turned Milan into an important spiritual destination during the Middle Ages.
Pilgrims travelling across Europe stopped here to venerate the Magi, whose journey symbolised the encounter between different cultures, peoples and faiths.
The dramatic transfer to Germany
The story took a dramatic turn in 1162, when Milan was conquered by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
As part of the spoils of war, the relics of the Magi were taken from Sant’Eustorgio and transferred to Germany.
They were eventually placed in Cologne, where they are still preserved today in the famous reliquary housed in. This magnificent shrine became one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in medieval Europe.
For Milan, however, the loss of the relics represented a deep wound, one that would remain open for centuries.
A partial return and a lasting memory
Only in the early 20th century did a symbolic reconciliation take place.
Some small fragments of the relics were returned to Milan and are now kept inside the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio, in a dedicated chapel above the altar.
Although most of the relics remain in Cologne, their partial return restored a strong symbolic bond between Milan and the Magi, reaffirming the city’s ancient role in this extraordinary story.
The Epiphany procession: a living tradition
The link between Milan and the Three Kings is not only preserved in stone and relics, but also in a tradition that is still alive today.
Every year, on 6 January, Milan hosts a historic Epiphany procession that dates back to the Middle Ages.
Dressed in traditional costumes, the Three Kings, accompanied by pages, knights and musicians, cross the city in a symbolic journey.
The procession traditionally connects the Duomo of Milan to the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio, recreating the final steps of the Magi’s long voyage.
This event attracts locals, families, students and visitors from all over the world, offering a rare opportunity to experience Milan’s spiritual and historical identity beyond its modern image.
Learning through experience: visiting Sant’Eustorgio today
During our cultural activities at Il Centro, visiting places like Sant’Eustorgio allows students to learn Italian history, culture and language in an immersive way.
Walking through the basilica, listening to stories about the Magi, and connecting them to the streets of Milan makes history tangible and memorable.
As explained during our guided visit by Marco, this experience becomes even richer when combined with a walk towards the Navigli area, where ancient and modern Milan meet.
You can read more about this cultural itinerary in our related article:
A walk through history and beauty: visiting the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio and the Navigli
Why the story of the Magi still matters
The journey of the Three Kings is more than a religious tale.
It is a story about curiosity, movement, cultural exchange and the search for meaning — values that resonate strongly in a city like Milan.
For international students, discovering this story while standing in the very place where it unfolded creates a powerful connection between past and present,
between language learning and lived experience.
Discover Milan beyond the clichés
Sant’Eustorgio reminds us that Milan is not only a city of fashion shows and skyscrapers, but also a crossroads of ancient routes, beliefs and traditions.
The story of the Magi, the basilica, and the Epiphany procession invite us to slow down, look closer and discover a deeper Milan.
And perhaps, like the Three Kings, we too are travellers — guided not by a star, but by curiosity, culture and the desire to understand the world through language.