Romanesque

Sant'Ambrogio, Milan

The Church, erected in honor of Saint Ambrose, Milan's first bishop, is the central monument of Lombard Romanesque architecture. It has a nave and two aisles but no trasept. The main vaults are slightly domical, rising higher than the transverse arches. The windows in the octagonal dome over the lsat bay, provide the major light source, playing reference to the Dome of Heaven. The Milanese building does not aspire to the soaring height of the French and German churches. Despite the differences, the purpose and use of the church are comparable to the greatest structures. With high, groin-vaulted ceilings, there is the implication of reaching towards the heavens. The light source, however small it may be, directs the eye to the most imporant area of the church. As the light is coming from the dome, it is located just before the apse in which the most holy performances are conducted and most often contains an important relic of sorts, in order to remind the viewers/worshipers of more important matters.