Rising unexpectedly from Milan’s urban landscape is the Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Apparizione. This sanctuary is also known as Santuario del Tommasone. It stands as a testament to faith and history.
The Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Apparizione’s story is a blend of devotion and transformation. Its walls have witnessed centuries of change. Imagine the atmosphere as we step closer to the Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Apparizione.
The earliest records point us to the healing of Charles D’Ambrose. He was a French governor in Milan. This event significantly influenced the site’s development. The first stone was laid on September 29 1507.
The Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Apparizione became a place of pilgrimage. People sought healing from the miraculous water. It was similar to the Ca’ Granda hospital. The purest water flowed from a spring.
The site has undergone many transformations. Yet, the core of the Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Apparizione remains beautiful. It features a square chapel. The chapel has a richly frescoed vaulted ceiling. This houses the medieval stone where water flows from eleven spouts.
The cloisters were designed by Giovanni Antonio Amedeo. They have enchanted visitors. They come from every origin.
The Napoleonic conquest of Milan in 1797 interrupted life here. The new ruler took over the Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Apparizione. In 1806 Eugène de Beauharnais transformed part of the site. Eugène was Napoleon’s stepson and Viceroy of Italy. He converted it into a bronze foundry. It was called the Fonderia Eugenia.
The Manfredini family directed the foundry. They specialized in small objects and large statues. One example is the Sestiga. This colossal bronze sculpture still stands on top of the Arco della Pace.
Halfway through the nineteenth century, the Barigozzi family purchased the foundry. Production switched to bells and artistic casting. They created the monumental statue of Vittorio Emanuele II. It is located in Piazza Duomo. They also made the bells for Giotto’s Campanile in Florence. Finally, they created the main entrance of the Duomo. This was a work of Ludovico Pogliaghi.
The Barigozzi family still owns the foundry. They are now the custodians of Milanese history. The foundry ceased operations in 1975. Some parts now house offices and co-working spaces. The Barigozzi Museum carefully documents its glorious history.
The Sala Forni holds the furnaces and equipment. The Sala Paradiso contains hundreds of plaster molds. These were once used for bronze decoration of bells. A visit here feels like stepping back in time.
In front of the sixteenth-century cloisters is another hidden gem. It is the Teatro Fontana. This theatre stages performances for various audiences. It was once a disused parochial cine-theatre. Today, it is a cultural hub for the Isola neighborhood. It is also an idea factory.
As we conclude our visit, remember the Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Apparizione. It is a place where history echoes. It is a place where devotion intertwines with the passage of time. It is a landmark in Milan’s ever-evolving story.