Galeazzo Maria Sforza’s wishes may have laid the foundation for the Vecchia Chiesa di San Rocco. The church’s story begins in the late 15th century. It was erected to seek protection from the plague. Some believe it was built on a chapel dedicated to San Sebastiano and San Rocco. Sforza may have ordered that chapel built half a century earlier.
The Vecchia Chiesa di San Rocco once stood near the present-day intersection of Corso di Porta Romana and Viale Caldara. Imagine the Milan of the 15th century. The city sought divine help against the plague. This church became a focal point for those prayers.
In 1616 the Vecchia Chiesa di San Rocco was granted parish status. Its importance grew during the devastating plague of 1630. A portion of the plague victims were buried near the church. This cemented its role in the city’s response to the epidemic.
Behind the Vecchia Chiesa di San Rocco, the ancient Cemetery of San Rocco al Vigentino was established in 1783. The church had jurisdiction over it for only three years. Information about the church between the 17th century and its desecration in 1786 is scarce.
The Vecchia Chiesa di San Rocco was deconsecrated in 1786. Its demolition date remains uncertain. Yet, Domenico Aspari’s print of the Porta Romana area still depicted its bell tower two years later.
After its suppression, the Vecchia Chiesa di San Rocco’s artworks and sacred furnishings were moved. They went to the new Chiesa di San Rocco near Viale Sabotino. That church was built in 1791. It too has since been demolished.
The facade of the Vecchia Chiesa di San Rocco featured frescoes. They portrayed San Rocco and San Sebastiano. Both were saints known to protect against the plague. These frescoes were created by painters from the Bramante school.
Accounts of the church’s interior differ. Carlo Torre described it as a single-nave structure in the early 18th century. Serviliano Lattuada described it as divided into three naves a little over thirty years later.
Today one notable artwork survives from the Vecchia Chiesa di San Rocco. It is an oil-on-panel polyptych by Cesare da Sesto from 1523. Simply known as the Polittico di San Rocco, parts of it are now in the Sforza Castle museums.
The Vecchia Chiesa di San Rocco’s story reflects Milan’s history. It shows the city’s devotion during times of crisis. Though the church is gone, its legacy lives on through the artwork it housed. It also lives on in historical records.