Hidden within Milan’s history lies the Cappella alle Fornaci. This small chapel stands as a testament to the city’s rich past. Its name meaning “Chapel of the Kilns” hints at its humble beginnings. It wasn’t always a place of worship. Originally built in the 14th century it served a small parish. This parish was crucial in supplying materials for the construction of the new St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The area’s brick kilns the “fornaci” gave the chapel its name.
The Cappella alle Fornaci wasn’t always a Baroque beauty. It underwent a significant transformation. At the end of the 17th century Francesco Multò rebuilt it for the Discalced Trinitarians. Their monastery stood nearby. Filippo Raguzzini later added the facade in 1720. The chapel’s architectural style is striking. Its design is based on a Greek cross. A short nave meets two transepts of equal length. The presbyterium has a semi-circular apse. The dome a low octagonal structure was never finished. Instead eight tiled roof pitches meet at the apex without a lantern.
The Cappella alle Fornaci played a vital role in the community. In 1850 it absorbed the responsibilities of Sant’Angelo alle Fornaci. Sant’Angelo had been destroyed. The addition of a Baroque campanile in the 1950s completed the chapel’s transformation. Pope John Paul II elevated the Cappella alle Fornaci to a cardinalate deaconry in 1985. Cardinal Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy held the title. After his death in 2014 Mario Zenari became the successor. The church’s dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Graces is a testament to its spiritual significance.
The exterior of the Cappella alle Fornaci is a masterclass in Baroque design. The two-story facade is deceptive. It’s much taller than the nave. Eight Corinthian pilasters adorn the facade. The entrance features a segmental pediment. A stucco coat of arms depicting an angel crowns it. Between the pilasters are niches with triangular pediments. The upper story showcases a single window. It’s flanked by pilasters and topped with an ogee pediment.
Step inside and you are surrounded by artistry. The interior boasts stunning stucco work and paintings. Giovanni Battista Maini created a stucco statue. Francesco Scaramucci painted the lateral panels. Other artists including Francesco Fusi and the Flemish Aegidius Alet contributed masterpieces. Pietro da Pietri adorned the dome. These works depict scenes from the life of saints and biblical narratives. The chapel’s rich interior serves as a visual chronicle of faith and artistry.
The Cappella alle Fornaci’s history is a captivating narrative. It is one of humble beginnings grand transformation and enduring significance. The small chapel stands as a poignant reminder of Milan’s vibrant past. Its enduring presence is a testament to the faith and craftsmanship that shaped its history. It’s a place that speaks to centuries of devotion and artistic excellence. The Cappella alle Fornaci is a place you should visit to fully appreciate Milan’s rich story.