Weren’t you just admiring Corso Buenos Aires bustling with shoppers? Now, turn your gaze to a serene haven. It is the Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore. This Catholic church stands as a testament to faith and resilience in Milan.
The Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore has a captivating history. It began as a humble chapel in the 16th century. It was a place for those connected to the parish of San Babila. In 1609, a new chapter began. Archbishop Carlo Borromeo wanted a chapel dedicated to the Madonna of Loreto. By 1616, the chapel was complete and adorned with a statue.
As the 19th century neared its end, the surrounding area grew. A larger church was needed. Luigi Macchi, an engineer, was entrusted with the project. The first stone was laid in 1898. Construction concluded in 1900. This was the Jubilee year of the Redemption. Thus, the church was dedicated to Gesù Redentore. Cardinal Andrea Carlo Ferrari consecrated it on June 2.
Although the structure was complete, the finishing touches took time. The bell tower was finished in 1901. Its bells were installed in 1902. The main altar was installed in 1903. Frescoes began to adorn the church in 1924. Stained glass windows followed in 1929.
World War II brought destruction. Aerial bombardments in 1943 severely damaged the church. Subsequent years were dedicated to restoration. These efforts revived the Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore.
The exterior of the Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore boasts a unique facade. It faces Via Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. A sagrato precedes it. The facade features red bricks and white stone accents. Three portals mark the three internal naves. Above each portal, mosaic lunettes depict sacred images. The central portal shows Gesù Pantocratore. The right portal displays symbols of the sacrament of the Order. The left portal features Agnus Dei. Statues of the Four Evangelists stand in niches. They were added in 1913.
To the left, a square bell tower rises. A conical spire tops it. The belfry has arched windows on each side. It houses five bells in D flat 3. Ottolina installed them in 1950. They replaced the original bells requisitioned in 1942.
Inside, the church follows a Latin cross plan. Three naves are covered by ribbed vaults. Bicolored pilasters support the arches.
The left aisle houses the Madonna di Loreto chapel. Inside there is a 17th-century wooden statue of the Madonna and Child. A marble altar in the next bay honors the Madonna Addolorata. In 1918, it became an expiatory chapel. Luigi and Carlo Morgari decorated it with frescoes. The right aisle features the altar of the Crucifix. It holds the remains of Saint Christina.
The transept holds only the altar ancones. The mensas were removed. A lectern for the Bible stands on the left. The baptismal font is on the right. Angelo Galloni painted frescoes on the presbytery-facing walls in 1950. The right transept shows the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes. The left depicts the Last Supper.
Steps lead to the presbytery. A wooden altar stands in front. Four bas-reliefs from the 1921 pulpit decorate it. The old marble altar remains. A ciborium tops it. A statue of Gesù Redentore stands beneath. Mario Albertella’s 1924-1925 fresco depicts the Trinity. It shows Christ enthroned among saints and angels. A door in the right transept leads to the Sacro Cuore chapel.
The Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore’s pipe organ was built in 1914. Balbiani-Vegezzi Bossi restored and expanded it after World War II. The organ has electric transmission. It has three 61-note keyboards. It also has a 32-note pedalboard. The console is in the apse. The organ’s pipes are in two sections. The Coro organ is in the apse. The Porta organ is in the counter-facade.
Now, consider the Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore. It is more than bricks and mortar. It is a sanctuary of art, faith, and history.