Why is the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Michele Arcangelo in Precotto not quite as old as it looks? That’s a question that often pops up when people first lay eyes on this grand church. It stands proudly on Viale Monza, a testament to faith and the passage of time. While its roots do stretch back centuries, to a humble 7th-century chapel built by the Lombards who revered their patron saint, St Michael the Archangel, the current edifice is a 19th-century creation. It was during this period, the mid-1800s, that the old San Michele, deemed too small for its growing congregation, faced demolition. A petition was sent to Emperor Franz Joseph himself, requesting a new house of worship. Thus, in 1865, the foundation stone of the present-day Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Michele was laid. Designed by architect Emanuele Odazio, the church gracefully blends Romanesque and Lombard styles. Inside, treasures await: a moving Via Crucis by Luigi Morgari and a bassorilievo depicting Christ’s Deposition by Francesco Barzaghi. Look up to admire the richly decorated choir stalls, a later addition dating back to 1930. But the most heartwarming fact lies in the community’s dedication to their place of worship. They literally petitioned an emperor to have their church rebuilt. Their wish was granted, gifting us with the majestic Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Michele we see today.
Nuovo Cimitero di Cologno Monzese
“A timeless sanctuary,” the old woman whispered, her gaze fixed on the rows of marble within Nuovo Cimitero di Cologno