History
The church was built by St. Ambrose starting from 382 on the road that connected Milan (then ''Mediolanum'') to ancient Rome, Rome. It was originally dedicated to the Apostles, and thus known as ''Basilica Apostolorum''.Overview
As explained by an inscription in the church written by Ambrose himself, the church's plan was on the Greek Cross with apses on the arms, a feature present only in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. In front of the basilica was a porticoed atrium. Under the basilica's altar were housed the relics of the Apostles, which are still present. In 397, when the body of Nazarius and Celsus, St. Nazarus was discovered, a new apse was created. Serena (wife of Stilicho), Serena, niece of emperor Theodosius I, donated the marbles for the ''sacellum'' housing the relics and also embellished the rest of the church. The apse of the right arm has a portal with a false porch. The ceiling of the nave, originally consisting of wooden spans, was replaced by a groin vault during the Middle Ages. The walls are original. Also in this age the Romanesque-style octagonal tambour, featuring a circular loggia with small columns, was added over the arms' crossing. Starting from 1512, Bramantino built the Trivulzio Mausoleum, which obstructs the Palaeo-Christian façade.Gallery
See also
* History of medieval Arabic and Western European domes * History of early modern period domes * Early Christian churches in MilanFurther reading
*Kurt Weitzmann, Weitzmann, Kurt, ed.,External links
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Brolo, San Nazaro Basilica churches in Milan, San Nazaro 4th-century churches Romanesque architecture in Milan, San Nazaro Tourist attractions in Milan, San Nazaro