Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio
| Basilica of Saint Eustorgius (Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio) |
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The right side of the church.
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| Basic information | |
| Location | Milan, Italy |
| Geographic coordinates | 45°27′14.40″N 9°10′52.80″E / 45.4540000°N 9.1813333°ECoordinates: 45°27′14.40″N 9°10′52.80″E / 45.4540000°N 9.1813333°E |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Rite | Ambrosian |
| Province | Archdiocese of Milan |
| Status | Active |
| Website | Official website |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Pellegrino Tibaldi |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | First Romanesque |
| Groundbreaking | 4th century |
| Completed | 16th century |
The Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio is a church in Milan in northern Italy, which is in the Basilicas Park city park. It was for many years an important stop for pilgrims on their journey to Rome or to the Holy Land, because it was said to contain the tomb of the Three Magi or Three Kings.
Probably founded in the 4th century, its name refers to Eustorgius I, the bishop of Milan to whom is attributed the translation of the supposed relics of the Magi to the city from Constantinople in 344. In 1764, when an ancient pillar was removed, a Christian burial was discovered, housing coins of emperor Constans, the son of Constantine the Great.
The church was later rebuilt in Romanesque style. In the 12th century, when Milan was sacked by Frederick Barbarossa, the relics of the Magi were appropriated and subsequently taken to Cologne. It was only in 1903/4 that fragments of the bones and garments were sent back to Sant'Eustorgio's. Nowadays they are in the Three Kings altar nearby the empty Three Kings sarcophagus. Still today, in memory of the Three Kings, the bell tower is surmounted by a star instead of the traditional cross.
From the 13th century the church was the main Milanese seat of the Dominican Order, who promoted its rebuilding. The current façade is a 19th-century reconstruction. The interior has a nave and two aisles, covered with groin vaults. Of the Romanesque church only parts of the apse remain, while of the original Early Christian building, remains have been excavated also under the apse.
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