Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Navigli & Porta Romana
The Navigli neighbourhood is named after its most identifiable feature - canals. Designed
as the motorways of medieval Milan, they powered the city's fortunes until the railroads,
WWII bombs and neglect brought about their demise in the 1970s. These days they
provide a scenic backdrop to the bookshops, boutiques and bars, which make this Milan's
most kicking bohemian 'burb.
Basilica di San Lorenzo
BASILICA
(Parco delle Basiliche; Missori)
Virtually ignored by everyone, yet, when you stumble across
it, it is difficult not to be bowled over by this hotchpotch jumble of towers, lodges, apses
and domes. In spite of appearances, it really is one basilica. At its heart is an early-Christi-
an circular structure with three attached, octagonal chapels, dating to about the 4th cen-
tury. What's left of a Romanesque atrium leads to the heart of the church and before it
stand 16 Roman columns, now a primary hangout for kissing teens.
Basilica di Sant'Eustorgio
BASILICA
(Piazza Sant'Eustorgio; 7.45am-6.30pm; 2, 3)
Built in the 4th century to house the bones of
the Three Kings, Sant'Eustorgio is one of Milan's oldest churches. Its harmonious exterior
belies its rabble-rousing past as Milan's Inquisition HQ, but the real draw is Pigello Por-
tinari's private
chapel
. Representative of the Medici bank in Milan, Portinari had the cash
to splash on Milan's finest Renaissance chapel, built in Gothic style and frescoed with
masterpieces by Vicenzo Foppa.
In the centre, borne aloft on life-size statues of the Cardinal Virtues, is the white marble
Ark of St Peter Martyr, Prior of Como. It's sculptural detail and fancy gothic
aedicule
(canopy supported by columns) sheltering the Virgin and Christ make it one of the finest
sarcophagi in Italy.
