Basilica vetus, Early Christian church in Milan, Italy.
Basilica vetus was an Early Christian church in Milan featuring a long central nave flanked by side aisles with light entering through windows in the upper walls. The structure occupied the site where Milan's present cathedral now stands.
Following the Edict of Milan in 313, this church was established as a co-cathedral with Santa Tecla shaping early medieval religious life. It was demolished in 1386 to make way for construction of the present cathedral.
This church served as Milan's winter cathedral while another sanctuary handled the summer months, creating a seasonal rhythm that shaped the city's religious life for centuries.
The former church's location lies beneath Milan's current cathedral in the city center. Visitors can explore the site by visiting the present-day cathedral building.
The coat of arms of the Cathedral's building organization featured this church's facade beneath Mary's mantle, showing its symbolic importance to the project. This artistic choice preserved the memory of the older church within the new cathedral's design identity.
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