Milan Sant'Ambrogio
A fine example
of the Romanesque-Lombard churches, Milan Sant'Ambrogio church was founded between 379 and 386 by Sant’Ambrogio, patron Saint of Milan, as a basilica dedicated to Christian
martyrs. Sant’Ambrogio himself was buried there in 397.
The exterior of
the church consists of an atrium, called Ansperto’s Atrium, with porticos on
three sides, while the fourth is partly integrated in the façade. Underneath
the portico are preserved architectonic fragments from the original
construction.
It is worthwhile
mentioning the two bell-towers flanking the façade, Campanile dei Monaci and
Campanile dei Canonici.
In the interior
of the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, one of the most interesting works is represented by the
famous Altare d’Oro, a masterpiece of Carolingian gold craftsmanship dating
back to 836.
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