Romanesque Building types Churches

Romanesque
Churches Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

The church is mostly built in brickwork of different origins and colors, with
parts of stone and white plastering. The current Romanesque church was begun
around 1080.
It is the finest medieval building in Milan.

Belonged to the basilica type; consisted of a central nave lighted from

the clerestory, 2 side aisles, apse, atrium.

The nave and the aisles of the existing basilica correspond with those of the
primitive church
Next is the narthex, between atrium and church, flanked by towers.
The narthex opens to the vaulted nave and aisles at its ends.
The pulpit consists of series of arches and carved with animals and birds.

Romanesque
Churches Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

Romanesque
Iso view
Churches Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

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 arches
supported by semi-columns
and pilasters preceding the
entrance.

Used for baptism later the portico,

whose entrance has four blind
arcades with an open one in the
centre, was later used for civil and The hut faade with the entrance portico.
religious meetings.

Romanesque
Churches Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

Exterior
The hut-shaped faade has two orders of loggias: the
lower one has 3arcades of same span, which join the
portico ones, which are slightly higher. The upper loggia
was used by the bishops to bless the citizens.

The portico's arcade are supported by pillars, flanked

by semi-columns. They have double archivolts, while the
portico's upper frame is decorated with Lombard bands,
which are repeated also on the faade.

It has two bell towers. The right one, called dei

Monaci ("of the Monks"), is from the 9th century and
has a severe appearance typical of defensive structures.
The left and higher one dates from 1144, the last two
floors having been added in 1889. It was likely designed The Canons' bell tower.
by the same architect of the Romanesque basilica, since
it contains the same decorative elements.
Romanesque
Churches Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

Interior
The basilica has a semi-circular apse, and smaller, semi-circular chapels at the
end of the aisles; there is no transept. The interior has the same size as the
external portico.

The ceiling features groin vaults, each supported by its own semi-pillar, which, in
the lower section, become a single pillar.

The aisles' spans measure exactly half of those in the nave, and are supported by
lesser pillars. The galleries over the aisles support the vaults but
preclude clerestory windows.

The third central span, on the left, is Romanesque ambon, has nine small
columns with decorated capitals and friezes, featuring animal and human figures,
as well as vegetable and fantastic motifs. The front of the ambon is decorated by
two gilt copper reliefs, depicting the symbols of two saints, St Matthew (praying
man) and John (eagle).
Romanesque
Churches Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

The church also houses the tomb of Emperor Louis II, who died in Lombardy in
875. The crypt, located under the high altar, was built in the 9th century to
houses the remains of three saints venerated here: Ambrose, Gervasus and
Protasus.

Romanesque