A mosaic of jesus surrounded by a group of people with the word jesus on the bottom

A church with a painting of jesus on the wall

San Lorenzo Maggiore Basilica, Milan - Centre

One of the oldest basilican examples with 5th century mosaics

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This basilica, probably dating back to the end of the 4th and the beginning of the 5th century, was largely rebuilt in the 11th and 12th centuries and again in the 16th century. It also houses a chapel - Capella Sant'Aquilino - which still features mosaics dating back to the 5th century.

Originally, this important church was built outside the city walls, located on the Via Ticinensis which joined Pavia and Milan. Built with a centralised plant with four towers, and decorated with marble using reclaimed material from Roman buildings, it was probably promoted by emperor Theodosius.

The church was renovated in various phases during the Middle Ages, starting in the second half of the 10th century under Ottonian rule, when a new dome was erected. It suffered under fire in 1071, and had stability problems after an earthquake in 1175. In 1167, when the new city walls were raised, San Lorenzo became part of the central town of Milan.

Pillars were added in the 12th and 13th centuries to stabilise the dome, while the internal columns were replaced with octagonal supports, the southern tower enlarged and an external lantern constructed. The 15th century saw the erection of the Citaddini chapel.

The dome crumbled in 1573 and was reconstructed under the design of Martino Bassi, with works finishing in 1619. New chapels were added in a Baroque style, while the facade was rebuilt in 1894, designed by Cesare Nava with a large vestibule.

In front of the basilica, there is a group of Roman columns dating from the 3rd century AD. They probably belong to the old baths built by emperor Maximian and were located here when the construction of the basilica was finished.

Worth knowing

San Lorenzo Maggiore became a symbol of the imperial status of Milan. The 'Via Sacra', which joined the basilica and the Duomo, became the most important road in the city during the Middle Ages, where religious parades were performed.

Watch out for

Do not leave the church without visiting the Sant'Aquilino chapel, which has retained the original structure of the late antique basilica. Built around the years 390-430, its octagonal plant is covered by a dome and was probably used as a baptistery or a mausoleum. Inside, there are important late 4th-century or early 5th-century Paleochristian mosaics.

Visitor comments

"Words cannot explain the beauty that will overcome you. You cannot visit (or live for that matter) in this city without stopping here. From the grounds and building exterior, to the intricate design and labor that went in to this basilica, it is absolutely breathtaking." - Trip Advisor
"Go inside and have a look in this old and large church rebuilt several times. It is an imperial basilica built in the 4th century, to confirm the role of Milan as the imperial capital of the West, in rivalry with Rome and Constantinople.The internal decorations were destroyed by fire and earthquake but you can see some of them, such as the Paleochristian mosaics in the octagonal chapel of Saint Aquilino (modest cost to visit it)." - Trip Advisor
"The artwork inside the church is wondrous. The baptistry has aged frescoes that have worn away from age." - Trip Advisor