Picture this. You stand before Ex chiesa di San Cristoforo a Milanese treasure. Two churches stand side by side. One is ancient Romanesque. The other is the later Ducal Chapel.
Ex chiesa di San Cristoforo holds a rich history. Its story begins long ago perhaps even on the site of a Roman temple. The original Romanesque church was rebuilt in the 13th century. This was during the excavation of the Naviglio Grande canal.
A Gothic portal and rose window were added in the mid-14th century. Next to it a hospital for pilgrims was built around 1364. This shows the church’s importance as a way station. It was on a busy route through Milan.
Then came the plague of 1399. It killed 20000 people. Milan’s citizens prayed to Saint Christopher. The plague miraculously stopped. They vowed to build a new chapel. Gian Galeazzo Visconti the Duke agreed.
The Ducal Chapel was built. It’s the second church you see. It’s dedicated to Saint Christopher. It also honors other saints. These were the patrons of the Visconti family. The chapel’s facade shows the Visconti coat of arms. You’ll also find the city’s coat of arms. The cardinal’s coat of arms is there too. This is Cardinal Pietro Filargo. He became Pope Alexander V.
Inside the combined churches are amazing frescoes. Some are from the 15th century. Others are from the early 16th century. These frescoes show scenes from the Bible. The artwork is in the Luinesque style.
The churches were joined in 1625. A wall separating them was knocked down. Now the interior has two naves. Notice the wooden ceiling. See the fragments of frescoes. These are attributed to the Bergognone school. The apse has frescoes from Bernardino Luini’s school.
The Ex chiesa di San Cristoforo is more than a church. It’s a place of prayer. It’s a historical site. It’s a testament to faith. It’s also a testament to the resilience of the Milanese people. It speaks of a city’s devotion. It shows how that devotion manifested itself throughout history.