Official Information
Official website: https://basilicasantambrogio.it/
Official tickets: On site only
Address: Piazza Sant’Ambrogio 15, 20123 Milano (MI), Italy
View on Google Maps: Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio Location
Opening Hours
Basilica: Monday to Saturday 07:30–12:30 and 14:30–19:00
Sundays and Religious Holidays: 08:00–13:00 and 15:00–20:00
Museum & Treasury: These have more limited visiting slots within general basilica hours and may change depending on restorations or liturgical events. Check updates at the entrance or on the official website.
The Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is one of Milan’s most significant early Christian landmarks. Founded by Saint Ambrose in the fourth century, the basilica’s current Romanesque appearance is mainly from the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Its brick façade and tranquil atrium with arcaded walkways offer a remarkable sense of history and seclusion from the bustling city beyond.
Inside, visitors discover treasures like the golden altar of Vuolvinio, a masterpiece of Carolingian goldsmithing covered in detailed reliefs and precious enamels, all sheltered under a medieval ciborium. The basilica’s adjacent museum and treasury contain a rich collection of liturgical objects, reliquaries, manuscripts and sculptural fragments that trace 1,500 years of Milanese Christian art. A highlight for many is the Sacello di San Vittore in Ciel d’Oro, a small chapel renowned for its early Christian mosaics, including one of the oldest realistic portraits of Saint Ambrose.
Because the basilica remains an active place of worship, visiting hours are distinct from liturgical schedules. Certain spaces, such as the Sacello, are only accessible via specific tickets or contributions on site, often as part of a guided tour. Current visiting options and possible restrictions due to restoration work are best verified on the official website or upon arrival.
Sant’Ambrogio provides a unique insight into Milan’s religious life from late antiquity through the Middle Ages, contrasting profoundly with the city’s grand marble cathedral. Here, the sober atmosphere, brick vaults and clear architectural layout highlight both its spiritual significance and its role in shaping civic identity. A visit that combines the basilica, museum and treasury gives travellers a layered perspective on devotion, art, and the evolving history of Milan itself.