A Visit To A 12th Century Romanesque Church & Cattolica University

The 12th century Romanesque church of Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio was built on top of a church first built around 380.

We entered through a side door, so we didn’t see the dramatic arcaded atrium that the unbaptized had to wait in during Mass.  It’s Romanesque, with wonderfully carved capitals sporting make believe animals, as well as tombs from its beginning days as a Christian Roman cemetery. 

Inside there are some wonders -- a mosaic in the apse that spotlights Christ Pantocrator ("All Powerful") surrounded by Milanese saints.

To me, the most dramatic was the Christian sarcophagus from the year 400, with incredible carvings.  Alas, only a few of those photos turned out, as the lighting isn't great.  Among the scenes are Jesus giving the first five books of the Old Testament to his apostles, as well as Apollo on a chariot changing into Jesus on a chariot.  And they didn't even use AI to do it!  There are also a number of fanciful and real carved animals on the sarcophagus.

The sarcophagus is below the 12th century pulpit (and fortunately is protected by bars), which also has amazing carvings. 

There is the ninth century altar of gold that was taken to the Vatican for protection during WWII.  It's fortunate, because the apse was hit by bombs and destroyed a 13th century mosaic that was reconstructed.  

The crypt is famous for holding the bodies of Saint Ambrose and two early Christian martyrs.  The crypt itself isn't much.

 

The atrium.  Note the arcades

and columns along the sides.

The two bell towers are because

there were two different

monastic communities sharing

the church but not their theologies.

The upper loggia is where the

bishop of Milan would bless

the crowds.

Holding up the pulpit.

Lion carved into the sarcophagus.

One of the mosaics.

The golden altar from the ninth

century.  This was removed to

the Vatican during WWII.

An altar.

Christ Pantocrator mosaic.

The full altar.  The four

porphyry columns are 

holding up a Romanesque

12th century canopy.

Never take Porphyry

for granite!

(Editor: That joke rocks!) 

A more complete look at

Christ the All Powerful.  The

porphyry column is one of the

four holding up the altar

canopy.

Part of the sarcophagus.

Jesus giving the apostles (not all

pictured) part of the Old Testament.

Jesus on a chariot, a scene NOT

found anywhere in the Bible.

After we left the church, we popped next door to Cattolica University, repurposed from a Benedictine monastery.  The colonnaded courtyards were designed by famed Renaissance architect Donato Bramante.

Not the university, but a

random house by the

church.

Just admit it, we would

all like a house with

gargoyles.

One of the university courtyards,

with the stately colonnades.