Join Benvenuto on a rare visit to the magnificent Basilica
of sant’ambrogio in the heart of the city—and find out
more about Milan in ancient roman and medieval times!
one of Milan’s oldest churches, sant’ambrogio was
commissioned by st. ambrose, Bishop of the city and
now its Patron
saint, in 379–
386 ad, at a
time when Milan
(then known as
Mediolanum)
was the capital
of the western
roman Empire.
The church was
initially erected
outside the ro-
man city walls,
at a site where a
number of mar-
tyrs of roman persecutions had
been buried. over the following
centuries, the city grew and de-
veloped around it.
The Basilica became a thriving
centre of religious life, with two
separate monastic communities
sharing its grounds, as sym-
bolised by its two ancient bell
towers: the 9th-century ‘Tower
of the Monks’ as well as a 12th
century one. The building has
undergone several restorations and partial reconstruc-
tions (it was last heavily damaged by anglo-american
bombings in 1943); its present appearance dates back
to the 12th century, when it was rebuilt in the roman-
esque style. The imposing interior features roman
mosaics, medieval sculptures, and a magnificent golden
altar covered in bas-relief.
no prizes for guessing who got married there!
Time: 10:45am
Venue: main entrance, Piazza sant’ambrogio (MM
sant’ambrogio, de amicis, Cadorna)
Cost: €20 (ticket+guide+earpiece)
Sign-up: To reserve your place, please sign up with
gisella garbagnati at specialactivities@benvenuto-
clubofmilan.it and send payment to Benvenuto’s ac-
count: iBan iT59q0200801600000103996605 by
24 april, stating your name + sant’ambrogio.