Basilica of San Simpliciano

The Basilica of San Simpliciano is a church in the centre of Milan, Italy northern, the second oldest in the form of a Latin cross, first erected by Saint Ambrose. It is dedicated to Saint Simplician, bishop of Milan. The site of the present church was occupied in the 3rd century AD by a pagan cemetery. There St. Ambrose began the construction of the Basilica Virginum ("Basilica of the Virgins"), which was finished by his successor Simplicianus, who was buried there. A brick with the mark of the Lombard King Agilulf shows that repairs were made between 590 and 615 AD. In the ninth century the Cluniac Benedictines took possession of the church. In 1176 the church became famous when, according to the legend, the bodies of the martyrs housed here flew as doves to the field of Legnano, landing on the City's Carroccio, (a ceremonial war waggon) as a sign of the imminent victory against Frederick Barbarossa's army. When the building was modified between the 12th and the 13th centuries, giving it the present Romanesque appearance, the original walls were preserved to a height of 22 meters.[1] On the night of 6–7 April 1252 the body of Peter of Verona (later St. Peter Martyr) lay in state after his assassination. A great multitude came to watch vigil, and the origins of Peter's cult began, as people started to report miraculous occurrences. In 1517 it was acquired by the Benedictines of Montecassino, who remained here until 1798, when the convent was secularized and for a time turned into barracks. In the 16th century the Spanish governor Ferrante Gonzaga had the bell tower lowered by 25 meters. The dome and the side wings were also modified in 1582. Other interventions were carried out in the 19th century, with poor results, while the façade was reworked in 1870. In 1927 stained-glass windows portraying episodes of the battle of Legnano were added.

Decent pizza, surprisingly full for a Wednesday night, but unfortunately very lackluster service. Of the six drinks we ordered, four arrived immediately while the remaining 2 took an additional 10 min. Same with pizza. They seemed to either be understaffed or simply poorly trained

Very beautiful church. Although majority of original interiors were missing. Visitors are allowed to take non commercial photo without flash light.

Simple but beautiful Basilica. Good retreat for a couple of hours. Few art works to see but good for who is capable of seeing beauty in some fresco though not so famous. Beauty is into stones and red bricks forming the Basilica.

It is a must if you want to learn the history of Milan. Try to find the frescoes in which Dante is hidden among saints and angels.

Gorgeous older house of worship that has an amazing interior......a must see if in the area.

The Basilica di San Simpliciano (Bishop of Milan in the 4th Century) has a large piazza before it, just off the main Corso Garibaldi. When I visited, a jazz group was preparing to entertain at a cafe on the piazza. The two side doors of the basilica are topped with colorful mosaic semicircles. One depicts the martyrs Martirio, Sisinnio and Alessandro whose relics are enshrined in the church. The other depicts SS Scolastica & Benedict.

Romanesque church. The facade of the building at the front and around the sides have done interesting some triple mullioned windows and decorative arches. The inside is kept pretty dark outside of religious hours and chloral music play, which make visiting the church very atmospheric. The two marian chapels at the transepts are especially inspiring due to the lighting on the chapel dedication and enhanced by the darkness of the interior. Just inside is some information in English and Italian, which makes the visit just a little more interesting as it gives things some context.