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Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore

The Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore is the oldest church in Milan and is a living testimony of the different historical stages of the city.

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Plan your visit

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Ticket prices

Free.

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Free entrance

Admission to this church is free of charge.

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Opening hours

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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Audio guide

This church does not include an audio guide.

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Cloakroom

This church does not have a cloakroom service.

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Accessibility

Accessible ramp at the entrance. The central nave of the church and the side aisles can be visited without obstacles. Information panel in Braille. By framing the QR or NFC code with a smartphone, you can access content that can be used in various ways: audio for the visually impaired and video with subtitles and text translation for the hearing impaired.

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Address

Corso di Porta Ticinese, 35, Milan, Milán, Italia

For more information, visit the official site
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What to see in the Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore?

When you visit, look for the following:

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  1. Statue of Augustus near the Colonnade of San Lorenzo.

  2. High Altar by Giovanni da Nola.

  3. Ornaments with grills (symbol of San Lorenzo) on the pillars.

  4. Funeral monument to Giovanni del Conte.

  5. Chapel of Sant'Antonio.

  6. Convent of San Lorenzo, with cloister and chapter house.

  7. Tomb of the Robbiani.

  8. Supper of the Apostles, by Antonio della Corona.

  9. Chapel of Sant'Aquilino and its Roman portal.

  10. Sarcophagus of Galla Placidia.

Photo gallery

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Why should it be part of your tour?

This church is one of the most emblematic and fascinating places in the city, and is a must-see during your visit to Milan. Built in the 4th century, the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore is one of the oldest churches in the West and - according to some experts - the first to have a symmetrical plan. It was built at the end of the reign of Emperor Theodosius, in the late Roman (Dominated) Empire.

In medieval times it was enlarged and survived several fires and even an earthquake. This church was the head of the largest diocese of the Italian peninsula, and one of the most important economic centres of the entire Holy Roman Empire.

The reconstruction that began after the collapse of 1573 was not completed until 1894 with the completion of the façade. In 1934, on the occasion of the bimillenary of Emperor Augustus and under Fascist rule, the old houses attached to the Basilica were demolished, allowing the colonnade to be visually reincorporated into the temple complex.

San Lorenzo Maggiore is also known for its crypt, which houses the remains of saints and martyrs of early Christianity (early Christian period). In the crypt, there is also the Baptistery of San Giovanni alle Fonti, which dates back to the 4th century and is considered to be one of the oldest examples of Christian architecture in Italy.

Another curiosity of the basilica is its relationship with the Visconti family, one of the most powerful and influential in Italy in the Middle Ages for almost two centuries (1277-1447). The Visconti were the main patrons of this church and financed much of its enlargement and decoration.

Its dome rises to a height of over 60 metres and offers spectacular views of the city. From the top, you can admire the skyline of Milan and, on clear days, you can even see the Italian Alps.

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