Imagine a bustling city square, a kaleidoscope of life swirling around you. Above the crowd, cast in the golden glow of the setting sun, sits a striking statue. This is the Colonna votiva a San Carlo Borromeo, a testament to Milan’s tumultuous past. The tall, elegant column, capped by a magnificent bronze and copper statue of Saint Charles Borromeo, greets you with a sense of quiet grandeur. Its history echoes through the centuries.
This monument, once a simple votive cross erected in 1577, commemorates the devastating plague that swept through Milan during the reign of Saint Charles Borromeo. As Archbishop of Milan, he led by example, tending to the sick and comforting the dying. He even helped create the city’s first public hospital, which became the forerunner of the renowned Ospedale Maggiore.
The simple cross stood as a symbol of hope and resilience against the plague. But in 1610, following Saint Charles’s canonization, it was decided to replace the cross with a grander monument. The sculptor Dionigi Bussola, a renowned artist at the time, was tasked with creating a masterpiece.
Today, you can see the magnificent result of Bussola’s talent. Standing there, you feel a sense of awe at the meticulous details of the artwork. The saint stands poised and upright, his gaze fixed on the horizon. His outstretched hand clutches a crucifix, symbolically representing the faith that helped guide him through the darkest days of the plague.
But there’s more to this column than meets the eye. Its inscription, “Federicus Cardinalis Borromaeus Archiepiscopus Mediolani die 25. Augusti, anno 1624,” tells the story of the monument’s inauguration. It was unveiled by Federico Borromeo, Saint Charles’s cousin, who continued his relative’s legacy of serving the people of Milan.
Over time, the colonna votiva has witnessed the city’s transformation, a constant reminder of its resilience and faith. As you leave the square, take a moment to reflect. The Colonna votiva a San Carlo Borromeo is not just a statue; it’s a story. A story of hardship and hope, faith and resilience. A story that whispers through time, reminding us of the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity.