# Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan > The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio is one of Milan's oldest churches, founded in the 4th century by St Ambrose, the city's patron. Today's 11th–12th-century building is the model of Lombard Romanesque: an arcaded atrium, two bell towers, a golden altar and 5th-century mosaics. Entry is free; allow 30–40 minutes. Web page: https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/sant-ambrogio - City: [Milan](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan), Italy - YesGo score: 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 40 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free; small fee for the mosaic chapel - Opening hours: Mornings and afternoons, closed midday - Highlights: Atrium, golden altar, 5th-century mosaics - Age: Founded 379–386 - Time needed: 30–40 minutes - Metro: Sant'Ambrogio (M2), 2 minutes - Coordinates: 45.46250, 9.17583 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **379–386** — St Ambrose founded the basilica (source: English Wikipedia) - **11th–12th c.** — the present Romanesque church was built (source: English Wikipedia) - **9th century** — Vuolvinius made the golden altar (source: English Wikipedia) - **1144** — the Canons' bell tower was built (source: English Wikipedia) - **5th century** — mosaics of the San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro chapel (source: English Wikipedia) ## A short history **St Ambrose**, bishop of Milan, founded the basilica in **379–386**, when Milan was an imperial capital. One of the most influential men of his age, he is said to have baptised **St Augustine** here. The church took his name, and he became Milan's patron — locals are still called "Ambrosiani", and his feast on 7 December is the city's great holiday. The present building dates from the **11th–12th centuries**, when the old basilica was rebuilt in Romanesque style. It became the model of **Lombard Romanesque** for churches across northern Italy: warm red brick, heavy vaults, round arches and sober forms. In the nave a **bronze serpent** stands on a column, said to be a Byzantine emperor's gift of the early 11th century. ## Atrium and bell towers In front lies a large **atrium**, an arcaded courtyard once used by those awaiting baptism and now one of the calmest spots in central Milan. The façade above is a two-storey arcaded loggia, flanked by two **bell towers**: the squat 9th-century **Monks' Tower** on the right and the taller **Canons' Tower** of 1144 on the left, built by two communities who served the basilica. On the square to the left stands an ancient column with two holes, the **"Devil's Column"**: legend says Ambrose wrestled the devil here, and the devil, missing his lunge, drove his horns into the stone. ## What to see inside The treasure is the 9th-century **golden altar** by **Vuolvinius**, clad in gold and silver sheets with enamels and gems, its sides showing scenes from the lives of Christ and St Ambrose. Above it rises a 10th-century stone **ciborium** on four columns, painted and decorated with stucco figures. On the right, the small chapel of **San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro** — "in the golden sky" — has a dome covered in **5th-century gold mosaic** and one of the oldest known images of St Ambrose; entry is by a small fee. In the nave, look for the carved 12th-century stone **pulpit** set above an ancient sarcophagus. ## What to see - **The atrium** — the arcaded courtyard before the entrance. - **Two bell towers** — the Monks' (9th c.) and the Canons' (1144). - **Vuolvinius's golden altar** — 9th century. - **The ciborium** — a 10th-century stone canopy. - **San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro** — 5th-century gold mosaics. - **The Devil's Column** — on the square to the left. > **Bramante's cloisters next door** The former monastery to the left now houses the Catholic University; during term hours you can peek into its two elegant Renaissance cloisters by Donato Bramante. Behind the basilica is Bramante's Canons' Portico. ## How to get there 1. Metro M2 to **Sant'Ambrogio**, 2 minutes on foot. 2. From the [Last Supper](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/last-supper), 10 minutes' walk. 3. From [Milan Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/milan-cathedral), 15 minutes on foot. 4. To the [Navigli](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/navigli) canals, 15 minutes' walk south. ## Is Sant'Ambrogio worth it? Yes — it's Milan's second church after the Duomo and the most ancient in spirit: after the white Gothic cathedral, its dark brick Romanesque hall feels like another world. Combine it with the Last Supper and Santa Maria delle Grazie, then walk to the Navigli for the evening. It's quiet inside, with few tourists, and the atrium makes a good place to rest. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Cover shoulders and knees - [ ] Check hours — closed at midday - [ ] Find the golden altar - [ ] Visit the gold-mosaic chapel - [ ] See the Devil's Column outside ## Milan's churches: compare and choose Churches and basilicas in Milan rated by YesGo. - [The Last Supper](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/last-supper) — YesGo score 72/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Paid, booking only - [Milan Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/milan-cathedral) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Paid - [Santa Maria delle Grazie](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/santa-maria-delle-grazie) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free - [Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/sant-ambrogio) — YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free ## Leonardo and the Renaissance The Last Supper by reservation, Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio and Sforza Castle. 1. [The Last Supper](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/last-supper) — YesGo score 72/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Paid, booking only 2. [Santa Maria delle Grazie](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/santa-maria-delle-grazie) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free 3. [Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/sant-ambrogio) — YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free 4. [Sforza Castle](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/sforza-castle) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Courtyards free, museums paid ## Don't mix it up Sant'Ambrogio isn't the Ambrosiana by the Duomo — that's a library and picture gallery, also named after Milan's patron saint. ## Tips - Free entry. - Closed at midday. - Small fee for the mosaic chapel. - Sant'Ambrogio metro is right there. ## Questions ### Is the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio free? Yes; only the 5th-century mosaic chapel has a small fee. ### When was Sant'Ambrogio founded? In 379–386; the present Romanesque building dates from the 11th–12th centuries. ### What is there to see inside? The atrium, two bell towers, Vuolvinius's golden altar, the ciborium and the mosaics of San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro. ### Where is Sant'Ambrogio? By Sant'Ambrogio metro (M2), 10 minutes from the Last Supper. ### Who was St Ambrose? The 4th-century bishop of Milan and the city's patron; his feast is on 7 December. ## How we checked History, architecture and interior from English Wikipedia. Hours and the chapel fee weren't confirmed — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia, Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.