Sant Ambrogio complex Milan

The Patron Saint of Milan

Ivan from Milan

About me I was born and raised in Bulgaria, in a small countryside town in the south. The place somehow always felt too small. For the first 20 years of my life I never really left the country and this was eating me up from the inside. My thrive for discovering the world was simply too strong, so in 2004 I decided to catch up and jump to the other extreme. I have been moving pla...
""Sant Ambrogio complex", like anything really old in Milan, has been built on top of other things. Tip: look at the right corner of the Basilica's gates..."

As anything really old you will find in Milano, you will discover many things have been built on top of it, added onto it or "restored" over time.

This multitude of different building styles however adds a unique feel to the monuments as you will find at the Sant Ambrogio Basilica complex: every époque in combination with their saints and rulers have left their mark.

In the case of Sant Ambrogio, the first stone was set as early as 375 AD. Despite all the changes done throughout the following centuries, the basilica is one of the most important buildings from the Lombard Romanesque style (everything is very well described at the site, even in English).

Although the most significant pieces are the altar (with the somewhat freaky leftovers of Sant Ambrogio himself underneath), the carved wooden entrance door and the marble sarcophagus, I love the most the hidden details. Look carefully at the column heads, lose yourself in an uncountable variety of symbolic animals, imaginary beasts and monsters.

In front of the Sant Ambrogio monastery (located next to the Basilica) you will find yet another brand new city project (completed in July 2014), the piazza Sant Ambrogio. In between the peacefulness of the Sant Ambrogio monastery and the pedestrian piazza, one could easily imagine living in a flat behind one of its beautiful facades.

Tip - don't miss looking up at the right corner of the Basilica central gates, you will find a hilarious creature staring right at you.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

Milan Spotter Ivan

About me I was born and raised in Bulgaria, in a small countryside town in the south. The place somehow always felt too small. For the first 20 years of my life I never really left the country and this was eating me up from the inside. My thrive for discovering the world was simply too strong, so in 2004 I decided to catch up and jump to the other extreme. I have been moving places ever since. Since 2004, I’ve lived and studied / worked in The Hague & Amsterdam, Sofia, Beijing, Berlin, Prague, Paris, Nice and Monaco. And now Milan. I consider myself lucky to have chosen ...

About this spot

Piazza Sant'Ambrogio 15

free

0286450895

Oct 4, 2025

Our Milan City Guide

Find your way with 195 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Milan guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Milan

Eurojolly Biliardi

True local pool hall

"Eurojolly Biliardi" in Milan (since 1991) is a huge melting pot of the city's local subcultures, and that's the best thing about it...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Matteo

Carini

Nov 23, 2025

Camparino in Galleria

To the roots of Campari

Camparino in Galleria in Milan is where the drink Campari was born. Every time I grab a drink at the bar, I feel as if I stepped into the old city...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Nov 22, 2025

Marchesi

A 19th century pastry shop

If you want to go back in time and find yourself enjoying the best pastries of Milan, visiting Marchesi and trying their pistachio croissant is a must.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

Nov 21, 2025

Flor

Natural wines and quality Italian tapas

"Flor" in Milan is a wine bar with the goal of making the world of natural wine accessible to all. Their cheeseboards are amazing...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Matteo

Carini

Nov 21, 2025

Rinascente

Affordable place for doing shopping

During the 20th century, it became one of the most important shops in the city, specialising in selling branded clothes, above all famous Italian brands.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

Nov 19, 2025

Sant'Eustorgio

The best church in Milan

It was built in 334 a.c, in a period when Milan or Mediolanum, the Latin name of the city, was the capital of the Western Roman Empire.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

Nov 19, 2025

The infamous column

Victims of superstitions

The first one was made in 1630, in place of the house of Gian Giacomo Mora, who was a barber, and it's still there today on the road that bears his name.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

Nov 19, 2025

Terrazza Aperol

Best drink in Milan

There are two types of people: those who take Aperol and those who take Campari. But what's the difference? Read to find out...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

Nov 19, 2025

Vitamina

Fairytale on the move

"Vitamina" Milan is a must visit amongst the famous underground electronic music in Milan. You'll find yourself in a whole other world in good vibes...

029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Matteo

Carini

Nov 19, 2025

Pizzeria Woodstock

The real pizza of Milan

This restaurant is one of those which is resisting and still gives the possibility to have delicious traditional pizzas at affordable prices.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

Nov 17, 2025

Mitú Restaurant

The Spirit of Colombia

Mitú is a place I would enthusiastically recommend to a friend seeking a charming atmosphere, great cuisine and attentive and knowledgeable staff.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Carmen

Condeescu

Nov 16, 2025

Church Sant'Ambrogio

Back in the past

The Church of Sant'Ambrogio, built this church in the 5th century AD, is an important church because it was built by the patron of the city, Ambrogio.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Vladislav

Karaneuski

Nov 16, 2025

Heading to Milan?

195 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Milan app Home
Milan app Home
Milan app Map
Milan app Home

Heading to Milan?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

195 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Milan

Get to know our other Spotters from Milan

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
28
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters