Descrizione

Ambrose, bishop of Milan in the 4th century, certainly represents the most precious Treasure that the church he desired jealously guards. Around this venerated body, over the centuries, testimonies of art and faith have been stratified, which are now presented in the renovated Treasure of the Basilica: from precious memories of late ancient times, such as the inlay in polychrome marbles and vitreous pastes depicting a lamb and the balsamaria of Nabor and Felix, to the masterpieces of Lombard sculpture and goldsmithery of the 15th century, among which the mysterious group of the five ‘weepers’ and the extraordinary Urn of the Innocents stand out, passing through the rare stone fragments of medieval age.

The object of greatest attention remains the bed of Ambrose, on which perhaps the bishop died or which served to display his body in the days of farewell. This rare artifact is linked to the living memory of the bond with the physicality of the saint, which has forged not only the Basilica that bears his name but also the very identity of the city of Milan.