Beneath the surface of Milan’s vibrant art scene lies a hidden gem. It is the Chiesa di San Paolo Converso. This former church has lived many lives. Now, it stands as a contemporary art space.
Built between 1549 and 1619 the Chiesa di San Paolo Converso first served as a place of worship. Countess Ludovica Torelli founded it for the Order of the Angeliche. The Angelicals were intended to be the female counterpart of the Barnabites. They often worked together during missions.
Inside, you would have found a nave with a barrel vault. A wall divided the space. This separation was for the nuns and the common faithful. The Cremonese masters Giulio, Antonio, and Vincenzo Campi created beautiful canvasses. Giulia Sfondrati, a noblewoman from Cremona, likely funded their work. In 1613, Giovanni Battista Crespi designed the Baroque façade.
But the church’s story does not end there. In 1808, Napoleon’s suppression of convents led to its de-consecration. The Chiesa di San Paolo Converso became a warehouse. Imagine this sacred space filled with mundane goods.
In 1932, the space was renovated into a concert hall. Its excellent acoustics became renowned. In the early 1960s, it transformed again into a recording studio. La voce del padrone record label used it. It later became “La Basilica” recording studio in 1970. Mina, a pop legend, recorded here.
More recently, from 2014 to 2019, the section behind the altar housed an architectural office. The architects at CLS only needed to look up for inspiration. Frescos of cherubs and deities covered the walls.
Today, the non-profit Fondazione Converso manages the building. It serves as a contemporary art space. It organizes exhibitions, events, and performances. Fondazione Converso pursues new models of exhibition. It pushes the boundaries of where art is seen. The church’s Late Renaissance interiors have been reimagined as unique exhibition spaces. They provide opportunity for display beyond the white cube.
The Chiesa di San Paolo Converso stands as a testament to Milan’s ever-evolving cultural landscape. Its walls hold centuries of stories. The frescoes by Giulio and Antonio Campi have witnessed all the transformations. From sacred space to warehouse to concert hall to art space. It is a place where past, present, and future converge.