“Plain facade hides ornate wonders,” I overhear a passerby say. Right here we stand before Case Sant’Antonio. It is a building full of surprises. Its exterior gives little clue of the artistic treasures within.
Case Sant’Antonio’s history stretches back centuries. Its origins begin in the first half of the fourteenth century. The Antonians managed a hospital here. It was founded to assist those sickened by ergot poisoning.
The Visconti family supported this activity for a century. Disagreements arose with the clergy of San Nazaro. This led to the hospital’s decline. Francesco Sforza founded the Ospedale Maggiore. He concentrated all city hospitals there. The hospital of Sant’Antonio Abate was suppressed in 1452. The church and its possessions were given in command.
A first renovation occurred in the fifteenth century. The bell tower was constructed during this time. Two cloisters were added later. The terracotta portico is estimated to have been built in the sixteenth century.
In 1575, the church became the property of Theatine clerics. In 1584, it took its current form. This followed expansion works directed by Dionigi Campanazzo.
The Theatine fathers assisted the sick during the Manzoni plague. This earned them gratitude and donations. The donations financed the fresco decoration. This included the nave vault and transept.
The convent was suppressed in the Napoleonic era. It was transformed into the seat of the national guard. The church became a military warehouse. This caused serious damage. The Austrians arrived and the convent became a military court. Part of it served as a prison in 1814.
The church reopened for worship as a subsidiary of San Nazaro. Giacomo Tazzini rebuilt the facade in 1832. A restoration was carried out in 1903. Further restorations in 1998 recovered the cloister.
The facade has two orders separated by a cornice. The lower order features pilasters. Niches contain statues of saints. These include Gaetano da Thiene and Anthony Abbot. A lunette window is in the upper order.
The bell tower dates back to the Gothic period. It has elegant terracotta decorations. Trefoil mullioned windows adorn the belfry. The conical roof resembles Milanese bell towers.
The church has a Latin cross plan. It features a single nave with a barrel vault. Three chapels are on each side. A short transept and a deep choir complete the layout.
The interior is richly decorated. Fluted pilasters support an entablature. Gilded stuccoes depict festoons and putti. Angels are between the pilasters. Large windows provide light.
Frescoes dominate the interior. They depict Stories of the Cross. The Genoese brothers Giovanni and Giovan Battista Carloni painted them. They illustrate The Cross Appears to Constantine and other scenes.
A gilded stucco decoration adorns the triumphal arch. Characters from the Holy Scriptures are represented. A wooden choir loft houses an organ from 1865.
The side chapels have the same structure. The Acerbi Chapel includes paintings by Giulio Cesare Procaccini. They depict the Annunciation and other scenes. The chapel was commissioned in honor of Borso Acerbi.
To the left of the entrance is the former convent. It features a 16th-century cloister. Today, it houses the Milanese Catholic Action. The cloister is inspired by Bramante.
Case Sant’Antonio stands as a testament to Milan’s history. It is a place where art and devotion intertwine. Its walls whisper tales of plagues and restorations. They also tell of artistic achievements. Take a moment to appreciate this hidden gem.