Ambrose's personality still remains in Milan traditions. Ambrosian Carnival (the most particolar moment of the peculiar rite of the diocese)
for example has an influence in many sites far from Milan: one of these is Valchiavenna. And in the Saint's day (December 7th) there are two other important moments that make citizens meeting.
"Oh bej, oh bej" 's fair is modt important open market of the city, with many kind of stocks and stalls; it's very ancient (Bonvesin de la Riva talks about it in 1288); once it was placed in Market Square (piazza dei Mercanti) near the Cathedral, and since 1866 the market has been moved near St. Ambrose basilica.
Another important event of December 7th is the open of the Scala lyric season.Milan also gives to its well deserving citizens a prize, the golden "ambrogino", that has this name because of a coin from the XIV century with Ambrose's face on.
Brief news
St. Ambrose basilica is reachable on foot from the town center in 15/20 minutes or by Underground (MM greenline, Santambrogio stop) or by bus n. 50, 54, 58, 94.
Basilica's Museum is closed on tuesday; on the other days is open from 10 to 12 a.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m.; on saturdays and sundays from 3 to 5 p.m.
On December 7th in S.Eustorgius's church cloisters has been placed in diocesan museum the exhibition of Ambrosian Iconography.
By EDC (transl. S. Schembari)