Basilica of San Bassiano, Lodi Vecchio

In 374 Bishop Bassiano decided to erect the Basilica of Laus Pompeia (which was destroyed by the Milanese around 1000ad) in the midst of a cemetery which ran along the very important Roman road that linked Milan, Lodi and Piacenza. Consecrated in 387 to the presence of the Bishop of Milan, Ambrogio, the Basilica of San Bassiano is definitely one of Lombardy's most fascinating examples of medieval architecture. There only remain a few traces of the Roman structure such as the internal massive pylons in styled brickwork, crowned with capitals. In the first decades of the 14th century the Basilica underwent constant changes and as a result, today it has a distinctive gothic aspect to it. The elegant brickwork façade is divided into three parts by thin lesions so even the lateral edges by the high and slender buttresses that support the lateral nave probably erected during the 14th century intervention. Inside, the splendid floral decorations and pictures of 'monstrous animals' highlight the harmonious three nave structure whilst on the apse basin and on the presbytery we find the splendid frescoes of an anonymous 14th century maestro which brighten up the whole structure.