Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

The basilica was initially built in 386 under the initiative of Bishop Ambrose as part of a plan to change the face of Milan. After his death, Saint Ambrose was buried in the basilica he founded.

In the 8th century, the Benedictines expanded the church, as the relics of Saint Ambrose were very popular among the parishioners, and Sant'Ambrogio could not accommodate everyone who wished to see them.

In the 9th century, Archbishop Anspert built an atrium, which was rebuilt in the 12th century. At that time, Milan did not have its own fortress walls, so the atrium became a refuge for local residents during wars. In 1196, the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio underwent a major reconstruction because the dome of the church had collapsed.

The new facade of the church was created in the 1730s by the architect Filippo Juvarra.

The basilica was severely damaged during World War II but was restored after the war.

The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio is a well-preserved example of Romanesque architecture of the Lombard school. The construction retained the layout of the early Christian church. The basilica's facade, with a triangular pediment and five huge arched openings, essentially acts as a covered loggia-gallery. Two towers of different heights adjoin the basilica from the west. The southern tower, known as the "monks' bell tower" (10th century), has a austere appearance, while the northern, taller "canons' bell tower" (12th century) is more elegant. Sant'Ambrogio is one of the first Romanesque basilicas to have the main nave covered with cross vaults instead of wooden ceilings.

The interior space of the basilica is divided into three naves, supported by massive columns. In the center of the altar area is the famous Golden Altar of Sant'Ambrogio, a masterpiece of early medieval art. This altar was created in the 9th century and is a complex composition of gold, precious stones, and enamels.

The chair of Sant'Ambrogio is adorned with carved symbols of the evangelists John and Matthew (images of an eagle and a seated man). Beneath the chair lies the sarcophagus of Stilicho (4th century) with bas-reliefs from the life of Christ. The center of Sant'Ambrogio is located under an octagonal dome, supported by columns remaining from the 4th-century ciborium. These are covered with painted stucco featuring various episodes from the life of Christ.

Behind the ciborium is the episcopal throne from the 4th and 9th centuries, where the kings of the Lombards were crowned.

The apse of the church is decorated with mosaics from the 6th and 8th centuries, as well as mosaics from the 18th and 20th centuries. In the urn beneath the golden altar are the remains of Saint Ambrose, Saint Gervasius, and Saint Protasius.

In the southern chapel are the monks' prayer rooms, which were built during various epochs.

At the end of the southern nave is the Chapel of San Vittore, originally built over the graves of Christian martyrs and later attached to the basilica. Its dome and walls are adorned with the mosaic "Golden Sky," presumably created in 470, featuring images of saints and martyrs, including a unique depiction of the martyr Victor Maurus in the dome, which is unusual for Christian iconography, as it typically depicts Christ.

The basilica complex also includes two monastic courtyards, an archbishop's palace, and a museum housing church relics and artworks. Special attention is drawn to the ancient atrium in front of the basilica, surrounded by columns and porticoes. This atrium served as a gathering place for believers before entering the temple.