Ambrosius – Il Tesoro della Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio

About the museum

The Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio was founded by Bishop Ambrose in the 4th century and preserves evidence of early Christian, medieval and Renaissance art, including the Golden Altar of Vuolvinus, the crypt with the bodies of Ambrose, Protasius and Gervasius, the ciborium with Ottonian stuccoes and the sarcophagus of Stilicho. Around the basilica extends a complex of monastic rooms, now included in the visitor route.

Ambrosius is the new display of the basilica’s Treasury, opened to the public at the end of December 2025. The route begins at the ticket office with a short film on Ambrose, continues into the ancient oratory of the Passion and the cloister, crosses the Atrium of Anspert, enters the basilica and culminates in the Treasury of Ambrose, reconceived as the central stage of the visit.

The Treasury is organised in three historic rooms: the Aula Ambrosii, set up in the monks’ former sacristy, with objects linked to the saint’s memory, such as his bed, his bowl and the inlay of the Lamb; the Sacello di San Vittore in Ciel d’Oro, with late antique mosaics and the oldest portrait of Ambrose; the Capitolino, two halls with stone fragments, reliquaries and liturgical furnishings from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. A further space in the bell tower, devoted to the history of the basilica, will be open in future.

Highlights

• Golden Altar of Vuolvinus, a masterpiece of Carolingian art
• Sacello di San Vittore in Ciel d’Oro with the oldest portrait of Ambrose
• Aula Ambrosii with the bed, the bowl and the inlay of the Lamb
• Capitolino with reliquaries, urns and the Visconti Cross
• Free admission to the basilica alone for worshippers and visitors

Permanent exhibitions

• Aula Ambrosii – Former monks’ sacristy with objects linked to the memory of Ambrose: his bed, bowl, relics, silk from the Golden Altar and the inlay of the Lamb.
• Sacello di San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro – Late antique chapel decorated with mosaics, with the oldest portrait of Ambrose.
• Il Capitolino – Two halls with stone fragments, reliquaries and liturgical furnishings that tell the story of the basilica from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

Founded

2025

Operated by

Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio

Visitors per year

approx. 100,000

Admission & discounts

The ticket for the full visit of Ambrosius can be bought at the ticket office or online. Free admission for holders of the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia Valle d’Aosta. Guided tours for groups on request from €140 plus ticket (schools from €120), with compulsory microphone hire at €2 per person.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

People with mobility impairments reach the reception areas and the Atrium of Anspert via the ramp to the right of the main entrance, and the basilica via the ramp to the right of the façade. For people with visual and hearing impairments there is a multisensory introductory panel in the basilica.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Family workshop tours for children aged 6 to 10, such as “A bottega dallo scalpellino: il bestiario di Ambrogio” (At the stonemason’s workshop: Ambrose’s bestiary); workshops for schools on mosaic, goldsmithing and sculpture as well.

Getting there & parking

The ticket office is at Piazza Sant’Ambrogio 23, next to the Colonna del Diavolo.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The bookshop is at the entrance to the group area. Dogs are not admitted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit