Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio (Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio) | ||
---|---|---|
Year consecrated 379 | | |
Status | Active | |
Location | ||
Location | Milan, Italy | |
Geographic coordinates | 45°27′44.73″N 9°10′32.90″E / 45.4624250°N 9.1758056°E | |
Architecture | ||
Type | Church | |
Style | Romanesque | |
Completed | 1099 |
The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio (official name: Basilica romana minore collegiata abbaziale prepositurale di Sant'Ambrogio).
History
One of the most ancient churches in Milan, it was commissioned by
When St Ambrose arrived in Milan to assume the bishopric, churches in the region were in conflict with each other over the dispute between Arianism and the Nicene Creed as well as numerous local issues. Ambrose firmly sided with the Nicene partisans, and wanted northern Italy to remain allied to the papacy. He did this through both preaching and construction. He built three or four churches surrounding the city; Basilica Apostolorum (now San Nazaro in Brolo), Basilica Virginum (now San Simpliciano), and Basilica Martyrum (which was later renamed in his honour). A fourth church, Basilica Salvatoris (later San Dionigi, razed in the 17th century), is attributed to him as well, but may not actually be from the 4th century. These churches were dedicated with anti-Arian language and as symbols of the wealth and power of the pro-Nicene faction in Milan.[2]
The church building has undergone several restorations and partial reconstructions, assuming the current appearance in the 12th century, when it was rebuilt in the
The two towers symbolize the division in the basilica. The 9th-century Torre dei Monaci ("Tower of the Monks") was used by the monks to call the faithful to the monks' mass. The monks supported themselves partly from the offerings given after mass. However, the canons did not have a bell tower and were not allowed to ring bells until they finished their own tower (on the north side)[4] in the 12th century.[3]
The monastery and church became a large landholder in northern Italy and into what is now the
In August 1943, the Allied bombings heavily damaged the basilica, in particular the apse and surrounding area. As a result of this a new building, painted in pink, was constructed to house the Abbot's offices and the museum.
Description
The church is mostly built in brickwork of different origins and colours, with parts of stone and white plastering. The current Romanesque church was begun around 1080. The nave dates to about 1128, and the rib vaults of the nave are from about 1140.
The original edifice, like the great churches of Rome of the same epoch, belonged to the basilica type; it consisted of a central nave lighted from the clerestory, two side aisles, an apse, and an atrium. Investigations made in 1864 have established the fact that the nave and the aisles of the existing basilica correspond with those of the primitive church; the atrium, however, which dates from the 9th century, and two smaller apses, flanking a new central apse of greater depth than the original, was erected. The altar occupies about the same place as in the time of St. Ambrose, and the columns of the ciborium over the altar appear never to have been disturbed; they still rest on the original pavement.[5]
In the following centuries, the edifice underwent several restorations and partial reconstructions, assuming the current appearance in the 12th century. The original
Exterior
The apex of the façade has two orders of loggias: the lower register has three arches of the same span, which join the slightly higher portico ones. The upper loggia was used by the bishops to bless the citizens.
The portico's arcade is supported by pillars flanked by semi-columns. They have double archivolts, while the portico's upper frame is decorated with Lombard bands, which are repeated also on the façade. Thin lesenes start from the pillars' centres, reaching the upper frame. The capitals are decorated by animals (lions, wild boars), and human figures (mostly heads, but also angels and others), as well as by vegetable or fantastic motifs of pre-Romanesque origin.
Under the
The basilica has two
There is also an octagonal tower over the east end of the nave.[4]
Interior
The basilica has a semi-circular apse, and smaller, semi-circular chapels at the end of the aisles; there is no transept.[4] The interior has the same size as the external portico.
The ceiling features
Under the dome cladding, in the last span of the nave, is the
The apse displays an early 13th-century
The oratory of San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro was originally a free-standing chapel, putatively begun in the 4th century, and thus pre-dating the church, commissioned by bishop Maternus to hold the relics of San Vittore. Bishop Ambrose supposedly buried his brother, San Satiro, in the chapel. The mosaics on the walls and ceiling were created in the 5th century; these include one of the earliest portraits of St Ambrose. The gilded dome ceiling has a central portrait of the patron saint.
The church also houses the tomb of Emperor
Myth
Immediately beside the church, there is a white marble column with two holes. According to legend, these were made by the Devil hitting the column with his horns because he could not seduce St. Ambrose into temptation. Thus, this column is called the Devil's Column.[8]
Others
- ), are modelled after Sant'Ambrogio.
See also
References
- ^ Guida alla Diocesi di Milano. 2012.
- ISBN 0-415-16497-4.
- ^ ISBN 1-58768-018-1.
- ^ ISBN 0-15-503769-2.
- ^ Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. .
- ^ Page at Medioevo.org
- ISBN 1-85669-353-8.
- ^ "The Devil's Column". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
External links
- Official website (in Italian)
- 3D pictures and panoramas of the Basilica and altar
- Images and map—(in Italian)−(in English)