“Imagine a tennis court inside a church.” Does it sound absurd? That transformation actually happened here at the Chiesetta di San Paolo.
Welcome to the Chiesetta di San Paolo Converso. It is a former church in Milan. Today, it serves as a contemporary art space. Its story is one of transformation, art, and unexpected uses.
Construction of the Chiesetta di San Paolo began in 1549. It served the convent of the Order of the Angeliche. Countess Ludovica Torelli founded this order. Building continued until 1580. The church features a nave with a barrel vault. A wall once divided the space. Nuns occupied one side and the faithful the other. This design mirrored other conventual churches like San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore.
Inside the Chiesetta di San Paolo, Cremonese masters created beautiful canvasses. Giulio, Antonio, and Vincenzo Campi contributed their artistic talents. Giulia Sfondrati likely funded their work. She was part of a noble family from Cremona.
Giovanni Battista Crespi designed the Baroque façade in 1613. He was also known as Il Cerano. Simone Peterzano’s “Pentecost” once adorned the nuns’ hall. It now resides in the nearby church of Sant’Eufemia.
In 1808, Napoleon’s suppression of convents led to the monastery’s closure. The Chiesetta di San Paolo was deconsecrated. It then became a warehouse. But its story didn’t end there.
In 1932, the space was renovated. It became a concert hall with excellent acoustics. From the early 1960s, La voce del padrone record label used it as a recording studio. Vittorio Buffoli and Giacomo Mazzini later acquired the studio. They founded PDU and named the studio “La Basilica”. It remained in the church until 1982.
From 2014 to 2019, an architectural office occupied the area behind the altar of Chiesetta di San Paolo. This section was once reserved for the nuns. Since 2016, the non-profit Fondazione Converso manages the building. It functions as a contemporary art space. Exhibitions, events, and performances now fill the space. In 2017, artist Asad Raza transformed part of the church into a tennis court.
The Chiesetta di San Paolo stands as a testament to adaptability. From a place of worship to a warehouse, recording studio, and art space, it has continually reinvented itself. Its walls hold stories of faith, art, and innovation. Take a moment to appreciate the many lives of this unique space. It is a true Milanese gem.