Cripta di San Sepolcro

The Crypt of San Sepolcro is an underground church at the site of Milan's ancient Roman forum. Its medieval architecture and reused Roman paving bring two major periods of the city's history into the same space.

Why it matters

The lower church became a place of particular devotion for Charles Borromeo, who described it as the city's navel. Leonardo also marked San Sepolcro on a map of Milan preserved in the Codex Atlanticus, associating it with the centre of the city.

What to notice

Large slabs of Verona stone came from the Roman forum's pavement. Their details include a cart rut and an ammonite fossil within the stone. Star and rosette decoration covers the vaults. A terracotta statue represents Charles Borromeo in prayer beside a fourteenth-century representation of Christ's sepulchre.

Context and history

Founded around 1030 by Benedetto Rozzone and consecrated in 1036, the church was originally dedicated to the Trinity. Its Holy Sepulchre dedication dates to 1100, following the First Crusade. A restoration completed in 2019 recovered decorated surfaces, strengthening the distinction between its medieval sacred architecture and the older Roman material incorporated within it.