The Ambrosian Library is one of the famous libraries of the
world, founded between 1603 and 1609 by Cardinal Federigo
Borromeo at Milan. This library is unique from the fact that it
was not intended by the Cardinal to be merely a collection of
books and masterpieces of art, but was meant by him to include a
college of writers, a seminary of savants, and a school of fine
arts. It is situated in what at that time was nearly the centre
of the city of Milan, near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The
plans were drawn by the architect, Fabio Mangone, and the
sculptor, Dionigio Bussola. The buildings were ready in 1609,
and became at once, on account of their ample dimensions and
elegant decoration, an object of universal admiration. The
following description, although of the present-day building, is
an accurate one of the original, as no alterations have ever
been permitted; even the floor of plain tiles, with four tables
(one in each corner) and a central brazier, is left as the
Cardinal arranged it. A plain Ioni