Milan Churches

From the Ancient Basilica of Saint’ Ambrogio to the huge, majestic Duomo: some of the greatest symbols of religion in Milan.

The most outstanding example of Gothic-Lombard architecture dates back to 1300. The Duomo was built on the wishes of Gian Galeazzo Visconti. It is surprisingly elegant mass of marble boasting 135 spires and 3400 statues that are spread over an area of almost 12,000 square meters.

The Duomo is one of Italy’s most striking attractions and one of the largest churches in the world. At the beginning the Duomo has a Gothic style, but over the centuries the designs went through several modifications and the finished Duomo is a strange mixture of styles.

The interior is lofty and somewhat gloomy in comparison with the bright exterior. Its vast spaces are dominated by huge stained-glass windows. It has four aisles and ranks of confessional boxes, labelled with opening times and the name of the father confessor.

The best experience that Milan offer is a trip to the Duomo’s roof. Visitors can take the lift or labour up the steps to the marble terraces, amidst white pinnacles and statues. The view is fantastic, stretching over the city to the Alps and the atmosphere is incomparable. Perched high above Milan the Madonnina watches over the city - a statue with 4 meters of tall.

Duomo's Roof, Milan

Santa Maria delle Grazie was built around second of the 15th century, and was completed years later by “Il Bramante” on the wishes of Ludovico il Moro, who designed the wonderful apse, the cloisters and the old sacristy. The church holds one of the most famous art works ever painted and one of the most striking monuments of Lombard Renaissance. In the church refectory, ancient premises of the Court of the Inquisition, non doubt one of the absolute masterpieces of history. Inside with a double of series of side chapels highlights the Solari’s Gothic background just as the arcades on the two rows of columns.

The Basilica of Saint’ Ambrogio was founded in 379 AD, in an area where numerous martyrs of the Roman persecutions had been buried. In fact, the first name of the church was Basilica Martyrum.

One of the most ancient churches in Italy is the symbol of Milan’s religiousness in the Romanesque-Lombard style. There are valuable artefacts and art works which tell the story of about 1600 years of Milan.

A vast arcaded atrium gives entrance to the Basilica. The atrium has a rectangular plant, three sides of which are arcades while the forth is the narthex of the basilica. There are composite columns with decorated capitals, engraved with figures representing different kinds of monsters and vegetables dates back to 17th century.

The Basilica has two bell towers. The right one is called dei Monaci (“of the Monks”) with a severe appearance. The left and higher one belongs to 1144. The interior of the basilica has the same size as the external portico. In addition the church houses the tomb of Emperor Louis II who died in Lombardy in 875.

Altar of Basilica of Saint Ambrogio, Milan

The Basilica of Saint Eustorgio was built at the beginning of the fourth century on the wishes of Bishop Eustorgio. Relic’s translations of the Magi to Milan are attributed to him. For many years it was an important centre for pilgrims on their journey to Rome or the Holy Land, because it was the site of the tomb of the Three Kings, the bell tower is surmounted by a star instead of the traditional cross.

The current facade is a 19th century reconstruction. The interior has a nave and two aisles, covered with groin vaults. The high altar is an imposing marble of the early 15th century, while a similar work is in the right transept, next to the Early Christian sarcophagus of the Magi. Behind the apse is the most striking feature of the church, the Portinari Chapel (1462-1468), one of the most celebrated examples of Renaissance art in Lombardy. It has frescoes by Vincenzo Foppa and a marble sepulchre by Giovanni di Balduccio, a 14th century pupil of Giovanni Pisano.

This majestic basilica is located opposite the Roman columns that are the only remains of a third-century temple. It includes different architectural styles, due to the various renovations that the building has undergone. The main elements are Paleo-Christian, for example the mosaics. With an ancient architecture that might seem more at home in Ravenna, San Lorenzo recalls the days when Milan was the capital of the Western Roman Empire. But this amazing basilica offers to visitors sixteen ancient Roman columns line the front of the church, which retains its original octagonal floor plan. Fourth century Christian mosaics can be seen in the Chapel of St. Aquilinus. San Lorenzo's dome, the highest in Milan, is a 16th-century addition. Outside the church is a statue of Constantine, the first Christian Roman emperor. The church was restored in the 1930s.

Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Maggiore, Milan

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