Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Alessandro e Martino

Gazing at the Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Alessandro e Martino, can you sense the echoes of centuries past? This imposing church, with its grand staircase, stands as a testament to time and faith. Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Alessandro e Martino wasn’t always the structure we see today. In the late 13th century, Cesate had three distinct churches: one dedicated to Saint Alessandro, another to Saint Martino, and a third to Mary, Mother of God. According to local lore, the oratory of Saint Alessandro, the parish’s patron saint, originally stood in a field in the northern part of the town. The church dedicated to Saint Martino was situated amidst the countryside, along the road to Garbagnate. The exact location of Saint Mary’s church remains a mystery, though it likely resided in the town center. Cardinal Borromeo, during a pastoral visit in July 1573, ordered the construction of a new church and bell tower on the site of a demolished older structure. He even specified the precise location. This marked the beginning of Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Alessandro e Martino. However, the complete edifice wasn’t realized until 1793, under the guidance of parish priest Giovanni Resnati. The church, facing Via Romanò, has undergone significant transformations throughout the years. The original 1619 construction extended only to about half its current length. It featured just three arches, terminating at the chapels of the Holy Crucifix and the Madonna of the Rosary. In 1887, to accommodate a growing congregation, parish priest Don Carlo Rossi expanded the church, adding two arches based on a design by engineer Luigi Moretti. Within the largest arch near the main altar, a crucifix was placed. This area was transformed into a chapel in 1857 and later relocated to its present position during a restoration. In 1907, two paintings by Domenico Beghè were added. One depicts the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, the other, the deposition from the cross. The current grand staircase replaced the steep, small steps that led up to what was once the town cemetery. The original entrance was situated where the bell tower now stands. Further restorations, encompassing the churchyard, interiors, and bell tower, were carried out by parish priest Don Carlo Gaggioli. Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Alessandro e Martino stands not only as a place of worship, but as a living chronicle of Cesate’s history, reflecting the devotion and perseverance of its community.