Aribert, Archbishop of Milan

Aribert (or Heribert) (Italian: Ariberto da Intimiano, Lombard: Aribert de Intimian) (Intimiano, between 970 and 980 – Milan, 16 January 1045) was the archbishop of Milan from 1018 to 1045. According to Yves Renouard, "Aribert was one of the greatest politicians of 11th-century Italy".

Biography

Aribert was born between 970 and 980 in Intimiano, near Cantù, to an aristocratic family of Lombard origins. On 28 March 1018, he was consecrated, bishop of Milan. Aribert went to Konstanz in June 1025, with other bishops of Northern Italy, to pay homage to Conrad II of Germany, the beleaguered founder of the Salian dynasty. There, in exchange for privileges, he agreed to crown Conrad with the Iron Crown of Lombardy, He died on 16 January 1045 and was buried in the Basilica of San Dionigi. His sarcophagus was moved to Milan Cathedral after the demolition of San Dionigi in the late 18th century.

The cross of Aribert The tomb of Aribert is located in the first span of the right aisle of Milan Cathedral. The archbishop's sarcophagus is surmounted by a copy of the famous crucifix in gilded copper foil (the original is located in the museum of Milan Cathedral) originally donated by Aribert to the monastery of San Dionigi, a convent which was later demolished in 1783.

A reproduction of the cross of Aribert is also one of the symbols of victory at the Palio di Legnano. The historical re-enactment takes place every year on the last Sunday of May and concludes with a horse race between the eight contrade Legnanesi: the contrada winner of the competition exposes the cross for a whole year in its own church of reference until the next edition of the prize.