Ambrosiana

Church of San Sepolcro

The church of San Sepolcro was founded in 1030, when a Milanese moneyer named Rozzone built a church on the ancient Roman forum. Archbishop Ariberto d’Intimiano solemnly consecrated it to the Holy Trinity.

The upper church of San Sepolcro
Its thousand years of history is mingled with that of the Crusades. On 15 July 1100, after the reconquest of Jerusalem, the archbishop of Milan at the time, Anselmo IV da Bovisio, in memory of this extraordinary event, changed its dedication to the church of the Santo Sepolcro. This title was motivated by the presence in its subterranean level, ever since it was founded, of a copy of Christ’s sepulcher. Created by a master craftsman in the early 14th century, according to tradition, its interior contained soil brought by the Crusaders from Jerusalem and other relics of the holy places.
In the second half of the 16th century, the church was chosen by Saint Charles Borromeo as a privileged place of prayer. He undertook a complex renovation of the place of worship, which involved the construction of an urban sacro monte, consisting of 24 chapels devoted to scenes of the Passion.The project, from various causes, was never finished, though some groups were actually completed and can still be seen in the upper church: Jesus washing of the feet of the disciples, Jesus before Caiaphas, the Flagellation and the denial of Peter.
In the following centuries the church underwent various phases of renovation and restoration, which significantly altered its appearance. Even the façade was rebuilt at the end of the 19th century in Romanesque style considered more appropriate to the ancient medieval building.
In 1928, with the suppression of the parish of San Sepolcro, the church was annexed to the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, which still administers it.
Between 2008 and 2011 the complex of the upper church was the subject of an important restoration project by the Superintendency for the architectural and landscape heritage of Lombardy and directed by Pinin Brambilla Barcilon. This shed light on the complex historical and artistic events of which this place, described by Leonardo da Vinci as the “true center of Milan”, has been the protagonist for centuries.
 
 

 
 
The crypt of San Sepolcro

A profoundly sacred place, the crypt was chosen by St. Charles Borromeo as a personal place of prayer, to which he went every Wednesday and Friday afternoon. It was not uncommon to see him spend whole nights in what he himself called the “gymnasium of the Holy Spirit”, in adoration of the model of the tomb of Christ. For this reason, after his canonisation, a polychrome terracotta statue was placed here depicting the saint kneeling before the sarcophagus. The crypt also enables visitors view one of the most ancient remains of the city’s history. The paving, consisting of large slabs of white ‘Verona’ stone, comes in fact from the pavement of the ancient Roman forum dating from the 4th century, the main public space of the Roman civitas, where all the principal civil and religious activities were held.
The crypt reopened to the public after 50 years in 2016 and, thanks to the MIBAC, in 2018-2019 further restoration works were carried out, recovering the decorated surfaces and renewing the technical installations. On July 22 2019, it opened again to the public.
 
 

INFO

CHURCH OF SAN SEPOLCRO
Piazza San Sepolcro
Milan, Italy

UPPER CHURCH
The upper church of San Sepolcro
is open for worship and visitors
at the following times:
Mon – Fri, 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Celebration of Holy Mass:
Mon-Fri, 12.45 a.m.

CRYPT
Currently the Crypt is open to the public only on certain occasions and in the following ways:

UNTIL APRIL 2, 2023 EVENRY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 11.00 TO 17.30 (LAST ADMISSION 17.00). CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Groups can also book outside the opening hours of the Crypt for groups of at least 10 people, provided the visit happens during the Pinacoteca’s opening hours (Monday to Sunday, 10.00-18.00, Wednesday closed). It is also possible to book for smaller groups, but by purchasing a guaranteed minimum of 10 tickets.

PRICES
GROUPS ONLY CRYPT
Adults € 6.00 + 1,50 presale
Schools € 2,50 + 1,00 presale

CRYPT + AMBROSIANA GROUPS
Adults € 15 + 1,50 presale
Schools € 6.50 + 1.00 presale

TO BOOK:
tel: +39 0292897721
email: ambrosiana@vivaticket.com
Mon-Fri 10: 00-18: 00, excluding holidays

ACCESSIBILITY
The site is not accessible to people on wheelchair or with reduced mobility.

Free admission (Membership of the respective categories must be proven by a valid valid document / card.)
Free admissions for the categories listed below must be booked by writing to: contact@ambrosiana.it.
• Children under the age of 14 accompanied by a paying adult (maximum 5 children per adult).
• Authorised guides with registration card and teachers accompanying school groups (1 for every 10 students).
• Journalists who need to visit the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana to review it are admitted for free. They need to submit the accreditation request to the press office with at least 24 hours advance, specifying the name of the publication and the day scheduled for the visit (mail: press@ambrosiana.it). Otherwise, journalists are granted a reduced ticket upon presentation of their journalist card, valid for the current year.
• ICOM members
• There also exist special permits, for professional reasons and with the approval of the administration for: superintendents of the fine arts, public officials and scholars-researchers.
For further information: contatti@ambrosiana.it

Church of San Sepolcro

INFO UTILI

CHURCH OF SAN SEPOLCRO
Piazza San Sepolcro
Milan, Italy

UPPER CHURCH
The upper church of San Sepolcro
is open for worship and visitors
at the following times:
Mon – Fri, 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Celebration of Holy Mass:
Mon-Fri, 12.45 a.m.

CRYPT
Currently the Crypt is open to the public only on certain occasions and in the following ways:

UNTIL APRIL 2, 2023 EVENRY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 11.00 TO 17.30 (LAST ADMISSION 17.00). CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Groups can also book outside the opening hours of the Crypt for groups of at least 10 people, provided the visit happens during the Pinacoteca’s opening hours (Monday to Sunday, 10.00-18.00, Wednesday closed). It is also possible to book for smaller groups, but by purchasing a guaranteed minimum of 10 tickets.

PRICES
GROUPS ONLY CRYPT
Adults € 6.00 + 1,50 presale
Schools € 2,50 + 1,00 presale

CRYPT + AMBROSIANA GROUPS
Adults € 15 + 1,50 presale
Schools € 6.50 + 1.00 presale

TO BOOK:
tel: +39 0292897721
email: ambrosiana@vivaticket.com
Mon-Fri 10: 00-18: 00, excluding holidays

ACCESSIBILITY
The site is not accessible to people on wheelchair or with reduced mobility.

Free admission (Membership of the respective categories must be proven by a valid valid document / card.)
Free admissions for the categories listed below must be booked by writing to: contact@ambrosiana.it.
• Children under the age of 14 accompanied by a paying adult (maximum 5 children per adult).
• Authorised guides with registration card and teachers accompanying school groups (1 for every 10 students).
• Journalists who need to visit the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana to review it are admitted for free. They need to submit the accreditation request to the press office with at least 24 hours advance, specifying the name of the publication and the day scheduled for the visit (mail: press@ambrosiana.it). Otherwise, journalists are granted a reduced ticket upon presentation of their journalist card, valid for the current year.
• ICOM members
• There also exist special permits, for professional reasons and with the approval of the administration for: superintendents of the fine arts, public officials and scholars-researchers.
For further information: contatti@ambrosiana.it

WHAT’S ON

GUIDED TOUR THE MAGNIFICENT AMBROSIANA<BR>APRIL-JUNE 2023

Ambrosiana

GUIDED TOUR THE MAGNIFICENT AMBROSIANA
APRIL-JUNE 2023

Every Saturday at 15.30 a guided tour of the masterpieces of the Pinacoteca, together with professional guides of our official partner AdArtem

01/04/2023-24/06/2023
PINACOTECA AND SAN SEPOLCRO CRYPT: OPENING HOURS FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS

Ambrosiana

PINACOTECA AND SAN SEPOLCRO CRYPT: OPENING HOURS FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS

Opening hours of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and of the San Sepolcro Crypt for the upcoming holidays

16/03/2023
NEWS
OLIVIERO RAINALDI: 2023 AD

Ambrosiana

OLIVIERO RAINALDI: 2023 AD

From April 6 to May 9 2023 the Crypt of San Sepolcro hosts the exhibition “Oliviero Rainaldi. 2023 AD”, an exhibition that traces the life of Christ in five episodes, birth, infancy, martyrdom, death and resurrection.

06/04/2023-09/05/2023
Exhibition
Mons. Marco Navoni is the new Prefect of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Ambrosiana

Mons. Marco Navoni is the new Prefect of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

The Archbishop of Milan, His Excellency Mons. Mario Delpini, has appointed Msgr. Marco Maria Navoni Prefect of the College of Fellows of the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana with effect from 27 February 2023.

27/02/2023
NEWS
SECRET AMBROSIANA: CURIOSITIES FROM THE COLLECTIONS

Pinacoteca

SECRET AMBROSIANA: CURIOSITIES FROM THE COLLECTIONS

Rooms 2 and 3, the exhibition is the first in a series dedicated to showing us what is not normally displayed, for a wider enhancement of the Institution's heritage.

02/02/2023-02/05/2023
Exhibition
SAN SEPOLCRO CRYPT OPEN DURING WEEKENDS UNTIL APRIL 2

San Sepolcro

SAN SEPOLCRO CRYPT OPEN DURING WEEKENDS UNTIL APRIL 2

Crypt of San Sepolcro open until April 2 2023, every Saturday and Sunday from 11.00 to 17.30 | last access 17.00

14/01/2023-02/04/2023

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

Self Portrait, Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844)
Basket of fruit, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 812 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Gentleman (Michel de l’Hospital), Giovan Battista Moroni (1520-1578)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 5 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Dormition of the Virgin, Anonimo ferrarese (XV secolo)
Christ Crowned with Thorns, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1006 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1069 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Locked out of school, Emilio Longoni (1859-1932)
Diana the Huntress, Joachim Friess (XVI-XVII secolo)
The Blessed Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 851 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Plato, Giovanni Antonio Piatti (1447-1480)
The Magdalen and the Angel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 3 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Allegory of Fire, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
De divina proportione, Luca Pacioli (1445 circa – 1517)
Portrait of a Pilgrim, Monogrammista HL (XVI secolo)
Octagonal casket, Bottega degli Embriachi (XIV-XV secolo)
The Assumption of the Virgin, Giovanni Agostino da Lodi (1467-1524 circa)
Judith and Holofernes, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Portrait of Bernardino da Lesmo, Bartolomeo Veneto (1502-1530)
Mercury and Argus, Anonimo genovese (XVII secolo)
Christ on the Way to Calvary, Giovanni Busi detto Cariani (1480-1547)
The School of Athens, Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)
Portrait of Saint Charles Borromeo, Giovanni Ambrogio Figino (1548-1608)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Armillary sphere, NA
The Madonna and Child with Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, Marco d’Oggiono (1470-1525)
The Placing of Christ in the Sepulchre, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Original Sin, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
The Holy Family with Saints Anne and John, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist, Ubertini Francesco detto Bachiacca (1494-1557)
The Virgin of the Rocks, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
The Adoration of the Magi, Maestro del Santo Sangue (XVI secolo)
Landscape with Saint John the Baptist, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Apse of San Satiro and View of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 4 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 117 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Sacra Conversazione, Ambrogio da Fossano detto il Bergognone (1453-1523)
Allegorical Female Figure, Giovanni Serodine (1600-1631)
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Jacopo da Ponte detto il Bassano (1510-1592)
The Madonna of the Pavilion, Sandro Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi detto) (1444 o 1445-1510)
Portrait of a Musician, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Man in Armour, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 29 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Burse, Artista dell’Italia centrale
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 873 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Annunciation, Gerolamo Mazzola Bedoli (1500-1569)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 860 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 272 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 663 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Cup with Turbo marmoratus shell, Christoph Lencker (1556 circa-1613)
Saint John the Baptist, Gian Giacomo Caprotti
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 139 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna Nursing the Child by the Fountain, Bernaert van Orley (1488-1541)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Giandomenico Tiepolo (1727-1804)
Portrait of a Lady, Giovanni Ambrogio De Predis (1455-1508)
Susanna at her Bath, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Portrait of a Young Girl with a Dove, Natale Schiavoni (1777-1858)
Portrait of Giuseppina Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Christ Resurrected, Marco Basaiti (1470-1530)
The Adoration with Saint Roch, Gian Pietro Rizzoli detto Giampietrino (1508-1549)
Kids and Lambs, Francesco Londonio (1723-1783)
Saint Michael the Archangel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Flowers and Roses, Gaetano Previati (1852-1920)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 909 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 844 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1058 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Latin astrolabe, Anonymous
A Soul in Purgatory, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Dantesque window, Giuseppe Bertini (1825-1898)
The Adoration of the Magi, Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli also known as Morazzone (1571-1626)
Allegory of Water, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Washerwomen at the Canal, Emilio Gola (1851-1923)
Moses and the Brazen Serpent, Cesare Ligari (1716-1770)
The Arco della Pace in Milan, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 145 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Noctes Atticae, Aulo Gellio
The Madonna and Child with Saint Peter and Saint Jerome, Cesare Magni (1511-1534)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 104 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Mary Magdalene Penitent, Guido Reni (1575-1642)
Orrery, Sconosciuto
Figured casket, Scultore lombardo
Self Portrait, Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
The Holy Family, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Clock with astrolabe, Sconosciuto
Daggers with sheath (eared sfondagiaco dagger), Milanese Gunsmiths
Portrait of Emilia Morosini Zeltner, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Horse’s head (Copy from the equestrian monument to Marcus Aurelius on the Capitol in Rome), NA
Portrait of Paolo Morigia, Fede Galizia (1578-1630)
View of the Interior of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Still Life with Musical Instruments, Evaristo Baschenis (1617-1677)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Portrait of a Young Man, Vittore Ghislandi detto Frà Galgario (1655-1743)
Mouse with Roses, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Portico in Ruins, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
The Martyrdom of Saint Peter of Verona, Alessandro Bonvicino detto Moretto (1490-1554)
The Madonna and Child with a Worshipper, Bernardino Betti detto il Pinturicchio (1454-1513)
The Ambrosian Virgil of Francesco Petrarca, NA
Laocoon (copy of the Vatican original), Leone Leoni
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 72 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Peter Leopold of Habsburg-Lorraine (later Leopold II), Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779)
The Madonna Enthroned with Saint Ambrose and Saint Michael, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Crib, Federico Barocci o Baroccio detto il Fiori (1535-1612) (replica di)
Maternity, Mosè Bianchi (1840-1904)
The infant Jesus with a Lamb, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Lesenes and trophies, Agostino Busti detto il Bambaia (1483-1548)
The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Ambito di Francesco Albani (1578-1660)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 710 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, Antonio Badile (1518-1560)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 26 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 149 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 49 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Giovanni Battista Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Mary Magdalene, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
The Damned Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Portrait of Alessandro Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 719 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Adoration, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Pietà (copy from Michelangelo), Leone Leoni
Napoleon Bonaparte’s gloves, NA
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 307 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
llias picta, NA
The Adoration of the Magi, Andrea Schiavone (1510-1563)
The Holy Family with Sain John, Tobias and the Archangel Raphael, Bonifacio Veronese (1487-1553)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 21 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 199 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Flowers in a Vase, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Jael and Sisera, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Nautilus shell, Sconosciuto
Display case with the hair of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfredo Ravasco
Portrait of Manfredo Settala, Daniele Crespi (1600-1630) attribuito a
Naturalis Historia, Plinio il Vecchio (23-79 dC)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 858 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 116 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Libro d’Ore Borromeo, Cristoforo de Predis (1440-1486)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 845 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 71 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Ceremonial saddle and stirrups. Detail of the wooden horse of Troy, Arte armaiola milanese
Male portrait, Hans Muelich (1516-1573)
The Kiss, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Pietro Antonio Magatti (1691-1767)
Portrait of a Young Man, Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco copia da) (1478 circa-1510)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 33 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Triumph of David, Lucas Hugenszoon detto Luca di Leida (1494-1533)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 12 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Last Supper, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Adoration of the Magi, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Winter Landscape with Skaters, Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634)
Portrait of Napoleon King of Italy, Andrea Appiani (1754-1817)
Head of Christ the Redeemer, Gian Giacomo Caprotti detto Salai (1480-1524)
Seascape, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 455 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)