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Why was the Battle of Legnano in 1176 important to Milan?

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People walk and shop inside the ornate Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy, with its glass-domed roof, decorative mosaics, and luxury store entrances. — Milan Shoppers in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan.

The Battle of Legnano in 1176 was a pivotal event for Milan because it served as a decisive military victory for the Lombard League against the forces of the Holy Roman emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.12

Following the destruction of Milan by imperial forces in 1162, the city had been rebuilt in 1167 under the auspices of the newly formed Lombard League. By playing a major role in the defeat of Barbarossa at Legnano, Milan and its allies successfully challenged imperial attempts to reduce the liberties and jurisdiction of the Lombard communes. This victory ultimately forced the emperor to agree to the Peace of Constance in 1183, which granted the cities communal liberties and restored Milan's privileges. Following this success, the city entered a period of significant economic growth that lasted for the next century.31