Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio

The Basilica di Sant’Ambogio is a church located in the Milan centre. It is known for its brilliant architecture and is a significant historical monument. The brick-walled monument is a wonderful example of Lombard Romanesque architecture that consecrated in 387.

The interior contains the intricately designed high relief of an ancient sarcophagus—the Stilicho’s Sepulchre. Another masterpiece is the Golden Altar by the gifted goldsmith Vuolvinio, depicting the lives of Christ and St. Ambrose on the front and the backside. The crypt contains the remains of St Ambrose, St Gervasus and St Protasus. The basilica has two brick bell towers, dissimilar in looks and size, symbolising a division between different factions. On top of a column in the central nave sits a bronze serpent. It is believed to be forged by Moses to cure anyone bitten by a snake just by looking at the sculpture. The chapel of San Vittore in Ciel d’Oro is situated at the end of the southern nave. It has the bust of a local martyr Saint Vittorio made of golden tesserae. The church is definitely very intriguing and worth a visit.