Basilica of St. Ambrose and St. Charles

The huge basilica of the Lombards’ community in Rome, was started since 1612 following the project of the architect Onorio Longhi who succeeded his son Martino.

The Basilica has a nave and two aisles with chapels on both sides; the dome -72 m high-  was designed by Pietro da Cortona.

It’s the only church in Rome with the deambulatorium, -following the Duomo in Milan – a corridor that runs behind the main altar; in this part of the basilica there is one important relic put inside a precious shrine, the heart of St Charles Borromeo.
The heart was given to the brotherhood of the Lombards of Rome by Cardinal Federico Borromeo, Charles’ cousin, in 1614.

This visit will give us the opportunity to know much more of the extraordinary life of St. Charles (Arona 1538-Milano 1584) one of main characters of the 16th century Catholic Counter-Reformation together with St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Philip Neri, following the masterpieces showed there as the St. Ambrose and St.Charles Glory painted by Carlo Maratta.

Carlo was bishop of Milan and he was well-known for his charitable activity, helping the poor people and the sick persons during a terrible plug. He was canonized in 1610 by Pope Paul V.

 

< Prev		Next >