Guided tour of the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio, the presbytery, the Sacello di San Vittore in ciel d’Oro: an unusual perspective of the Basilica from the Sacrario dei Caduti.
Those taking part in this guided tour immediately discover that St. Ambrose was anything but an ordinary figure.
Our “Sant’Ambroeus”
St. Ambrose is the patron saint of Milan. He is an “awkward and unexpected” saint, as Dario Fo defines him in his work “Sant’Ambrogio e l’invenzione di Milano“. Our professional guides have studied in depth to try and convey as best as possible the character of the bishop closest to the hearts of the Milanese, pious and spiritual, but also a man of contradictions. During the guided tour, we will learn about the Basilica and its important history stretching back more than a thousand years. Besides, it is hardly surprising that this basilica is the second symbol of Milan after the Duomo and it is one of the finest examples of Lombard Romanesque architecture and the destination of other cultural itineraries we offer, such as the highly appreciated Paleo-Christian Milan.
The treasures of the Basilica
The basilica has two treasures: the altar by Vuolvinio and the Sacello di San Vittore.
Our qualified tourist guide will welcome you under the typical gabled façade. From here the guided tour
will lead you through the splendid treasures of the Basilica; we will then go to visit the portico, with the two bell towers, and the interior, with the naves, the choir and the splendid golden altar by Vuolvinio. It will not be difficult to plunge into the legends and hidden mysteries that impregnate every stone of this ancient and enchanting place.
We like to offer the guided tours of the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio from a perspective that is always different and special, recounting its history and architecture, looking for the most unusual capitals, visiting the Sacello di San Vittore in ciel d’oro or going down into the crypt.
Few people know that behind the Basilica there is the Sacrario dei Caduti Milanesi (Shrine to the Milanese War Dead), also called the Tempio della Vittoria, in the centre of Milan. This white building, dedicated to the memory of Milanese who died in war, was designed by the architect Giovanni Muzio in the early 1930s, then enlarged and extended on three underground floors in 1973, designed by Mario Baccini.
The Sacrario ai caduti will be one of the original stopping places on our guided tours.
