Lodi Vecchio, The Basilica of the 12 Apostles or of San Bassiano

The basilica of the 12 Apostles (called San Bassiano from the 10th century on) has its roots in the 4th century, but in its current form it represents one of the most significant examples of mediaeval architecture in Lombardy, with substantial modifications in the first decades of the 14th century. The facade, typically Gothic, is in tiles and is divided into three by thin panels which stress the vertical elevation, and is characterised by a series of openings including single windows, oculus windows and “open” windows.
In the central part, which is equally sub-divided, a portal opens, with above a round arch, a rose window, a single opening window with a pointed arch and a niche containing a statue of San Bassiano, a copy of the original which is kept in the Duomo of Lodi.
The tympanum has a broken front and the side extermities, which are topped with pinnacles, terminate with a decoration in interlinked small pointed arches, also repeated along the sides.
The building still has traces of the earlier Romanesque structure, such as the piece of wall ad opus spicatum around the single window of the first southern section, this technique already being in use for churches in the Romanesque period.
The interior is a basilica with three aisles. The large pillars have stone capitals of great historical interest.
The first decades of the 14th century mark a decisive change not just in architectural structure, but above all in the internal decoration of the church, where especially floral and geometrical motifs where used in the structure. Indeed, the style of decoration showing the hand of a single Master dates from this period. The activity of this Master evidently began in the area of the apse, where Christ giving blessings is represented, seated by an almond tree and surrounded by symbols of the Evangelists and by saints. It continues with a cornice with imitation brackets which marks off this scene from the neighbouring scene of eleven Apostles.
The basilica also contains many other valuable frescos and reliefs, all dating from the 14th century.