How often does a simple facade hide a treasure? The Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate stands here a few steps from the Duomo. Its exterior gives little hint of the artistic wonders within.
Let’s step inside. The Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate dates back to the 13th century. It was built on the site of a 4th-century temple. The church you see now is a reconstruction from 1582. This was during the Mannerist period.
Imagine Milan in 1272. The Antonian friars arrived to care for those suffering from the “sacred fire”. This was ergot poisoning. Francesco Sforza later consolidated all hospitals. The convent lost its purpose. The powerful Trivulzio family took control in 1452.
Look up at the bell tower. It is one of the oldest parts of the complex. Luca Beltrami restored this 15th-century tower. The terracotta cloister dates from the early 16th century.
In 1577, Carlo Borromeo entrusted the church to the Theatines. Dionigi Campazzo rebuilt the Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate. He followed the Counter-Reformation style. The layout is a Latin cross. It features a single nave and three chapels on each side. A short transept and rectangular choir complete the design.
Pause to admire the painted decorations. They reflect Counter-Reformation themes. These glorify the Cross and the saints of the Theatine order. The Trivulzio family adorned the Chapel of Relics in the late 16th century. They added a fragment of the Holy Cross.
Let’s turn our attention to the vault of the nave. Giovanni Carlone and Giovanni Battista Carlone painted these frescoes. They depict stories of the True Cross. The work occurred during the plague of 1631-32. Tanzio da Varallo painted Christ in glory in the right transept. Francesco Cairo created “The Fainting of St. Andrew Avellino”.
Think back to January 17 1773. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart directed the first performance of “Exsultate, Jubilate” in this very church. Exactly 250 years later, Giulio Prandi conducted a commemorative performance.
Consider the facade. Giacomo Tazzini designed it in 1832. The statues in the niches represent saints. They are Gaetano da Thiene Nicolao Antonio Abate and Andrea Avellino. The adjoining oratory was never consecrated. It now serves the University of Studies.
Walk through the cloister. It reflects Lombard Renaissance style. Notice the Tuscan and Ionic columns. The arcades feature terracotta decorations. These depict griffins and other Renaissance motifs.
Note the organ at the rear of the Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate. Livio Tornaghi built it in 1865. Giovanni Bernasconi and Inzoli later restored it.
Don’t miss the Acerbi Chapel. Giulio Cesare Procaccini painted its masterpieces. These depict the Annunciation Visitation and Flight to Egypt. Senator Ludovico Acerbi commissioned the chapel in 1609. It honored his brother Borso.
The Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate stands as a testament to Milan’s artistic and religious history. Its walls echo with centuries of devotion and artistic achievement. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of styles. From Gothic bell tower to Baroque interior each element tells a story.