VisitaMilano

Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

The current building was erected on the perimeter of the previous Basilica Martyrum, built at the end of the 4th century by Saint Ambrose, the patron saint of the city, an important reformer and defender of the Church. The reconstruction of the church commenced at the end of the 9th century, a date to which the right hand pre-Romanic style bell tower, referred to as the Monks bell-tower, dates back. The apsidal part dates back to the mid 10th century, while the body of the church was created at the end of the 11th and 12th century, in Romanic forms. The church is preceded by a wide four-sided portico and it represents one of the most important examples of Romanic architecture in Italy and in Europe. On the left hand side of the facade is the Canonici bell-tower which originates from the end of the 11th century. Among the works of art housed inside it, the famous golden altar is worth mentioning, it was created during the 9th century by Volvinio and other master goldsmiths. It is a case entirely upholstered in sheets of gold and silver with enamelled cornices and mounted stones. Underneath the presbytery you can visit the crypt which houses the bodies of Saints Ambrose, Protaso and Gervaso. In the chapel of S. Vittore in Ciel d'Oro, which was built during the 4th century and decorated with a mosaic, there is the oldest and most realistic image of St. Ambrose. Alongside the Basilica is the Museum of St. Ambrose. On the left hand side of the church you can see the two sides of the portico of the rectory, designed by Bramante before 1492 and left unfinished in 1499 due to the fall of Ludovico il Moro, the Duke of Milan and commissioner of the work of art. Behind the basilica is the large monastic complex with its two cloisters designed in 1498 by Bramante, now the headquarters of the Catholic University.

Details

architect:  Pellegrino Tibaldi (1527-1596)
architect:  Luigi Bisi (1814-1886)
architect:  Luigi Brocca (the 19th cen)
architect:  Friedrich Schmidt (the 19th cen)
architect:  Giuseppe Pestagalli (not.1826-1871)
architect:  Gaetano Landriani (1837-1899)
architect:  Ferdinando Reggiori (1898-1976)
architect:  Donato Bramante (1444-1514)
art period:  from antiquity to romanesque