Page 84 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

82  MILAN AREA B Y AREA

1 San Lorenzo alle Colonne

Dating from the 4th century, San Lorenzo is one of
the oldest round churches in Western Christendom
and may have been the ancient Imperial palatine chapel.
The church was built utilizing materials from a nearby
Roman amphitheatre. The plan, with exedrae and
women’s galleries, is unlike Lombard architecture and
reveals the hand of Roman architects and masons.
Some art historians also see the influence of Byzantine
art in the unusual plan. After several fires the church
was reconstructed in the 11th and 12th centuries and Cappella di San Sisto
This chapel was frescoed by Gian
was again rebuilt after the dome collapsed in 1573, Cristoforo Storer in the 17th century.
but the original quatrefoil plan has been preserved.
The chapel of Sant’Aquilino contains some of the best
mosaics in Northern Italy.

Main entrance

Statue of Constantine
This bronze work is a copy
. Roman Columns of a Roman statue of the
The 16 Corinthian columns, from emperor who issued the
the 2nd–3rd century, were part of an Edict of Milan in AD 313,
unidentified temple and were placed in bringing persecution of
their present location in the 4th century. Christians to an end.

082-083_EW_Milan.indd 82 20/10/16 3:19 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm