Cripta di San Sepolcro, Crypt in Milan, Italy
The Cripta di San Sepolcro is an underground crypt beneath the church of the same name in the historic center of Milan. It sits on the site of the city's ancient Roman forum and has a vaulted ceiling decorated with painted designs, while the floor is made of old stone slabs, some of which come from the Roman era.
The church of San Sepolcro was founded in 1030 by Benedetto Rozzone, head of the city mint, on the ruins of the ancient Roman forum. After the Crusades, it was renamed to honor the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, reflecting the religious climate of that period.
The crypt has been seen as the spiritual center of Milan since the Middle Ages. San Carlo Borromeo called it the "navel of the city" and prayed here regularly, and a small terracotta statue of him in quiet prayer still stands inside today.
Access to the crypt is through a staircase, so it is worth wearing comfortable shoes and bringing a layer of clothing for a cool, low-lit underground space. Guided tours are offered in small groups, so arriving a few minutes early is a good idea to avoid missing the start.
Leonardo da Vinci sketched the crypt during his time in Milan and marked San Sepolcro on a small map of the city now kept at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. Some of the floor slabs come directly from the old Roman forum and still carry the grooves left by cart wheels from that era.
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