Basilica di San Simpliciano
Italy
Centenary Church Visit: Discover the rich history of Milan's most important church, the Basilica di San Simpliciano, as you explore its centuries-old architecture and learn about its cultural significance from your knowledgeable guide.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Basilica of San Simpliciano, a site of immense antiquity and one of the most significant early Christian monuments in Milan. Originally known as the 'Basilica Virginum,' it is one of the four great basilicas…
Listen in the app2The Romanesque Facade and the Maciacchini Restoration
Standing before the facade of San Simpliciano, we observe a complex history written in brick. The original 4th-century church was significantly altered between the late 11th and early 12th centuries, taking on the Romanesque…
Listen in the app3The Interior: A Confluence of Centuries
Entering the basilica, you are struck by the 'suggestive commistion' of styles. The vast, high nave was originally a single space, 56 meters long and 19 meters high, but was divided into aisles in the 7th century. …
Listen in the app4Bergognone’s Masterpiece: The Coronation of the Virgin
We have reached the emotional and artistic heart of the basilica: the wide apse vault. Here, you will find a 'true masterpiece' painted around 1508 by Ambrogio da Fossano, famously known as 'Il Bergognone.' The fresco depicts the…
Listen in the app5The Legend of the Three Doves and the Battle of Legnano
The history of San Simpliciano is inextricably linked to the 'Battle of Legnano' in 1176, a pivotal moment when the Lombard League defeated the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. According to legend, during the battle, three white…
Listen in the app6The Small Cloister of the 15th Century
Adjacent to the basilica lies a hidden world of 'tranquility and beauty': the San Simpliciano Cloisters. We begin in the Smaller Cloister, which dates back to the 15th century. …
Listen in the app7The Main Cloister and the Theological Faculty
Moving into the larger, Main Cloister, we encounter the Renaissance expansion of the 16th century. This grand space, with its two levels of columns and wide arcades, reflects the growing prestige of the Benedictine monks of…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we exit the Basilica of San Simpliciano and return to the vibrant energy of Corso Garibaldi, take a moment to reflect on the layers of time we have just traversed. From the 4th-century foundations of Saint Ambrose to the…
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What is Basilica di San Simpliciano?
Basilica di San Simpliciano is a place in Italy with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Italy |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 45.4739, 9.1846 |
| Last updated |
