Ever wondered about the secrets held within seemingly modern structures? The Chiesa di Sant’Ambrogio ad Nemus stands before us. Its story stretches back centuries to a time of saints and forests.
This church’s history goes back to the 4th century. Legend says Saint Ambrose himself frequented a small church here to pray. It was nestled ad nemus in the woods. Even before Ambrose, Saint Martin is said to have hidden here when exiled from Milan. This was during the time of the Arian bishop Aussenzio.
Over time, the little church grew in importance. An order of friars even originated here. The Chiesa di Sant’Ambrogio ad Nemus underwent its first renovation in 1377. Another followed in 1500. Disaster struck in 1635. The church’s ceiling collapsed. Restorations completely changed the structure. The presbytery and choir were expanded. The side walls were altered to allow larger windows.
In 1644, the order of friars was suppressed. The Chiesa di Sant’Ambrogio ad Nemus was given to the Franciscans. The Napoleonic era brought upheaval. The church was repurposed as a playing card factory and ammunition depot. Altars and the floor were destroyed. Frescoes were chipped away. Artwork was taken to France. However, the Pala Sforzesca from around 1494 survived. It now resides in the Pinacoteca di Brera.
In 1813, the Chiesa di Sant’Ambrogio ad Nemus became a hospital. By 1852, it was a retirement home for elderly priests. Don Luigi Guanella acquired the complex in 1857. He transformed it into a charitable institution. The church was expanded around 10 meters towards the end of that century. The facade’s last renovation took place in 1928.
The Chiesa di Sant’Ambrogio ad Nemus as we see it today largely reflects the reconstruction started in 1635. The term ad Nemus indicates its location outside the medieval walls in a wooded area. Frescoes adorned the walls in the 17th century. Above the entrance, you can observe frescoes by the painter Cocchi.
Also Carlo Acutis, who was beatified in 2020, made his first Holy Communion in this church at the early age of 7 years in 1998.
The Chiesa di Sant’Ambrogio ad Nemus stands as a testament to Milan’s layered past. It has been a place of prayer, a site of refuge, and a center for charity. Its walls echo with centuries of stories. Take a moment to appreciate the resilience of this sacred place. Its journey reflects the enduring spirit of Milan itself.