Oratorio dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio

Is this church always this peaceful? The Oratorio dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio, often called the “Little Church of the Lizards,” seems to exist in its own quiet world. Despite being nestled in the median strip of a busy Milan street, it whispers tales of a time when fields and farms surrounded it. Picture this: the year 1000. The Oratorio dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio is built by Benedictine monks, a humble house of worship for the local farmers. Its namesake, Saint Protasius, rests in the grand Basilica di San Vittore al Corpo, a connection forever linking the small oratory to its larger counterpart. The Oratorio dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio has seen it all – from the prayers of Emperor Barbarossa during his siege of Milan to its time as a hideout for revolutionaries plotting against Austrian rule. It even survived the rapid expansion of Milan, saved from demolition by the very residents who cherished its history. Today, the Oratorio dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio still stands, a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of this Milan neighborhood. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of a bustling metropolis, pockets of history and quiet reflection can still be found.