Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio: Difference between revisions

See also Sant'Ambrogio, Florence

The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio (St. Ambrose) is a church in Milan, northern Italy.

One of the most ancient churches in Milan, it was built by St. Ambrose in 379-386, in an area where numerous martyrs of the Roman persecutions had been buried. The first name of the church was in fact Basilica Martyrum.

When St. Ambrose arrived in Milan, the local churches were in conflict with each other over the conflict between Arianism and the Nicene Creed as well as numerous local issues. He was firmly in support of the Nicene side of the conflict, and wanted to make northern Italy into a pro-Rome stronghold. 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 honor). A fourth church, Basilica Salvatoris (now San Donighi) 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.^[1]

In the centuries after its construction, the edifice underwent several restorations and partial reconstructions, assuming the current appearance in the 12th Century, when it was rebuilt in the Romanesque style.

Initially, the basilica was outside the city of Milan, but over the following centuries, the city grew up around it. It became a center of religious live and a community of canons developed in the church. In 789, a monastery was established within the basilica grounds. The Canons, however, retained their own community and identity instead of fading away. Two, separate, distinct religious communities shared the basilica. In the 11th Century, the canons adopted orders and became Canons Regular. There were now two separate monastic orders following different rules living in the basilica. The canons were in the northern building, the cloister of the canons, while the monks were in the two southern buildings.^[2]

The two towers symbolize the division in the basilica. The 9th Century dei Monaci ("of the Monks") tower 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 didn't have a bell tower and were not allowed to ring bells until they finished their own tower in the 12th Century.^[2]

In August 1943 the Anglo-American bombings heavily damaged the Basilica, in particular the apse and surrounding area (the photo shows a view looking West). As a result of this a new and remarkably unsuccessful building, now painted pink, was constructed to house the Abbott's offices and the museum.

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 ninth century, and two smaller apses, flanking a new central apse of greater depth than the original, were erected. The altar occupies about the same place as in the time of St. Ambrose, and the columns of the ciborium appear never to have been disturbed; they still rest on the original pavement.^[3]

In the following centuries the edifice underwent several restorations and partial reconstructions, assuming the current appearance in the 12th Century. The basilica plan of the original edifice was maintained, with an apse and two aisles, all with apses, and a portico with elegant arches supported by semicolumns and pilasters preceding the entrance. The latter was used to house the catechumens who attended part of the Mass prior to receiving baptism (this custom disappeared in the early 11th century).

The current building was begun around 1080. The nave dates to about 1128 and the rib vaults of the nave are from about 1140. Entrance to the church is through an arcaded atrium. The basilica has a semi-circular apse, and smaller, semi-circular chapels at the end of the aisles and no transept. There are galleries over the aisles which support the vaults but preclude clerestory windows.^[4]

The flat appearance of the hut-like façade is typical of Lombard medieval architecture. It has two loggias, the lower one with three arches of equal dimensions joining the portico. The upper loggia has five arches of different height that follow the ceiling. It is used by the bishop of Milan to bless the people attending outside.

The basilica has two bell towers. The right one, called dei Monaci ("of the Monks"), is from the 9th century and has a severe appearance. The left and higher one dates to 1144, the last two floors added in 1889.

The interior of the basilica has the same size as the external portico. Notable is the heavily restored apse mosaic, portraying the Christ Pantokrator and dating from the early 13th century. There are mosaics of about 470 in the oratory of San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro.

The church also houses the tomb of Emperor Louis II, who died in Lombardy in 875.

• Royce Hall and Powell Library, at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), are modelled after Sant'Ambrogio.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Category:Sant'Ambrogio (Milan).

• Official Website (in Italian)
• 3D pictures and panoramas of the Basilica and altar
• Images and map Template:It icon
  • English version of same page

45°27′44.73″N 9°10′32.90″E / 45.4624250°N 9.1758056°E / 45.4624250; 9.1758056