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Basilica of San Nazaro
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Show an other treasure of art and history in Milan:
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 Mostly represented styles: Romanesque - Renaissance
The Basilica of San Nazaro in Brolo or San Nazaro Maggiore is located in the square with the same name, along the Corso di Porta Romana. The complex consists of the Basilica Apostolorum (Basilica of the Apostles), built by St Ambrose of Milan in the fourth century, the Renaissance Trivulzio Chapel and the Chapel of St. Catherine.
The basilica is part of the group of churches built by Sant Ambrogio to sanction the christianization of the city of Milan. It was to be on the road that led to Rome and was, accordingly, very important.
It was with it that the Latin cross plan (as opposed to that of a Greek cross since there used) was invented, an innovation which was taken as an example throughout the West.
Shortly after its construction the remains of San Nazario, who died a martyr, were deposited in it.
It should however be borne in mind that the present church dates in effect at the end of the twelfth century, since the original early christian church, of which she layout and structure (as well as some details) were preserved, was destroyed due to a fire.
In the early sixteenth century the Trivulzio Chapel, designed to collect the remains of family members Trivulzio, was placed in front of the basilica. The chapel, in practice a mausoleum which completely hides the original facade, was built to a design by Bramantino, and is characterized by an extremely simple and elegant style.
Towards Francis Richini street there is is a secondary façade, consisting of the head of the left transept.
Inside are worthy of note, among other things, the Baroque organ on the counter facade, the main altar, also baroque, the altar of Sant'Arderico in the left branch of the transept, the Crucifixion by Bonino da Campione (basrelief dating from the fourteenth century) in the right branch of the transept, and more.
Special mention goes to the Chapel of Santa Caterina, which is accessed from the left branch of the transept. It was built and designed by Antonio da Lonate in 1540, which was inspired by the architecture of Brunelleschi and Bramante. The environment, a rectangular covered by a hemispherical dome in which there are some windows in the shape of small rosettes, is home to, among other things, a large fresco by Bernardino Lanino of the Martyrdom of Santa Caterina of Alexandria.
The Basilica also houses a small underground part with remains of the original church and some Roman artifacts.
Outside there are several sarcophagi that housed the remains of people who wanted to rest near San Nazaro and for which there was no place in the church.
Basilica of St Nazaire on Wikipedia
Note: Some pictures are provisional because inadvertently shot directly in jpg and therefore of a lower quality.
If you are interested in a guided tour of this monument send an email!
Categories: Churches / Religious buildings
Piazza San Nazaro in Brolo, 5 - 20122 Milano |
Further pictures of the Basilica of San Nazaro in the section Photography |