Built in the heart of Milan’s Portello district Sant’Anna Matrona stands as a testament to postwar faith and urban planning. Its construction a direct response to the booming population of the Fiera area in the late 1950s. Archbishop Montini recognizing the spiritual needs of this burgeoning community established a new parish. He dedicated it to Sant’Anna Matrona. The land was initially intended for housing. However a change in zoning allowed for the church’s creation.
The architect Antonio Cassi Ramelli designed Sant’Anna Matrona. Construction began in March 1959. It concluded just a year later. The church’s inauguration on December 18 1960 was a significant event. Archbishop Montini himself presided over the ceremony. It marked a turning point for the Portello neighborhood.
Sant’Anna Matrona is a basilica-style church. Its facade faces southwest along Via Francesco Albani. The presbytery is situated to the northeast. The slender campanile stands at the back of the church on the right side. A rectory sits to the left of the main entrance. The simple gabled facade is clad in exposed brick at the top. Below it is marble from Botticino. Three entrances punctuate the facade. The central one features an intricate perforated cross.
The interior boasts three naves. They are separated by pentagonal pillars. An octagonal tiburium illuminates the presbytery. The church’s basement houses the parish halls. In 1976 the presbytery underwent a redesign. This was in accordance with the directives of the Second Vatican Council. The changes were intended to foster a more communal atmosphere during services. The original altar was removed. A new community altar was installed.
Sant’Anna Matrona is more than just a place of worship. It represents the aspirations and the spiritual growth of a community. The church’s architectural design is significant too. It shows a blend of practicality and elegance. This was vital in an area rapidly undergoing urban transformation. From its humble beginnings Sant’Anna Matrona has become a landmark. It serves as a beacon of faith for the people of Portello. The church also tells a story of adaptation. It showcases the evolution of liturgical practices in the latter half of the 20th century. Sant’Anna Matrona continues to play a vital role in the fabric of Milanese life.