San Simpliciano - Main cloister, Renaissance cloister in Brera district, Milan, Italy
The main cloister of San Simpliciano features broad arcades supported by paired stone columns that frame a central courtyard with five decorative fountains. The structure connects directly to the basilica through a monumental staircase designed by Francesco Maria Richini in the early 18th century.
Construction began in 1563 under architect Vincenzo Seregni after Benedictine monks from Cassino took over the basilica and convent in 1517. This monastic community shaped the spatial layout and function of the complex for centuries to come.
The cloister remains a quiet meeting point within the theological faculty's daily activities. Students and visitors move through the arcades as a natural passage between different parts of the complex.
Access to the cloister is through the basilica, where visitors can walk under the broad arcades in the open air. The central location in Milan makes it easily reachable by public transport and on foot from other historic sites.
The cloister employs paired stone columns rather than single supports, creating an unusual rhythmic pattern throughout the arcades. This architectural choice visually sets it apart from other cloisters and reflects a deliberate design decision from the Renaissance period.
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