1. Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio -
Duomo
Milan Tour Route

2. Monuments in Milan

3. Our route

4. Our route

5. Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio Metropolitan Cathedral of
Santa Maria Nascente
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking
379 1386
completed1099 completed 1892

6. Romanesque style Gothic style

11. Bell tower
“dei apse
canonici”
1128
Bell tower
of the
Monks
800

12. Scheda
-reference style: Lumbardy Romanesque
- beginning of present building:1080
-replaces: the paleochristian basilica
Martyrum founded by Ambrogio (400 d.C.
circa);
-materials: brickwork and plastered
masonry , stone for the pilasters and
arches only
-bell tower: bell tower of the monks 800;
-altar, ciborium and apses: from IX to X
century
-bell tower: bell tower “dei canonici” 1128
;
-three aisles basilica, without transept,
with vaults-span ;
-arcaded atrium follows the inner plan of
the nave and aisles, also used for city
meetings, the widest in Europe;
-entrances: three portals to enter the
church; the main one has a splay with a
classical decoring of leaves and fighting
animals, symbolizing the struggle between
good and evil.

13. The central nave
characterized by
cross vaults and
highlighted ribs

14. The bronze snake
The archibishop Arnolfo II da Arsago, around year 1000,
brought a bronze snake to Milan from one of his journeys. It
is still in the basilica of sant'Ambrogio, on a column on the left
side of the central nave.

15. The ambone, in the left aisle
The case is substained by 9 columns which
surround a IV century coffin , the so-called
Stilicone’s coffin

16. Detail of Stilicone’s coffin
It was carved in the second half of IV century. In the middle of the
carving you can see Christ on the throne closing the Bible in his hand.

17. On the front side of the case there are two golded copper
relieves, symbols of Saint Matthew and Saint John.
Saint Matthew Saint John

18. On the left corner an eagle catches an animal,
maybe a hare, symbol of lust.
telamone: human figure which substains
an architectural element

19. Pistrice (legendary
mythologic
seamonster)
Double-tail mermaid
Pelican

20. April holds two trees with his
June or July hands
reaping the harvest
The spinarium, classical symbol of March
Two peacocks drinking in a cup, eternal life
symbol through Eucaristia

21. The ciborium of Angilberto II (824-
859) and the altar of Vuolvino
Tiympanum with
terra cotta bas
relieves
Red porphyry
columns

22. Front side of the ciborium
Jesus gives the keys to Saint Peter and the Book to Saint Paul

23. Altar of Vuolvinio
Front side

24. Vuolvinio ‘s altar
Back side

25. Mosaic of the apse
The central part.
Christ in the middle seems to be of XI century, the circles under him of XII
secolo.

26. Mosaic of the apse
Sermon of Saint Ambrose .
It is composed by IV-IX century passages

27. Saint Ambrose stopping Teodosio,
The portrait of Saint Ambrose painting by Camillo Procaccini kept in the
Basilica

28. La crypt
The crypt with
the corpses of
saints
Ambrose,
Gervase e
Protase