“A church built in just seven years?” whispered a man, his voice hushed in awe as he gazed at the Santuario di Santa Maria di Piazza. “Seems impossible, yet here it stands.”
The Santuario di Santa Maria di Piazza, an emblem of Renaissance artistry and devotion, graces the heart of Busto Arsizio. Its story begins long before its elegant facade took shape, back when a humble chapel occupied this very spot, a testament to the town’s early Christian faith. As Busto Arsizio grew in prosperity and influence, so did the desire for a grander place of worship. This led to the construction of a Romanesque church, consecrated in 1346. Yet, even this structure couldn’t contain the ambitions of the burgeoning town. They yearned for a monument that would mirror their newfound status. Thus, between 1515 and 1522, the Santuario di Santa Maria di Piazza was born, a testament to the town’s unwavering faith and the architectural prowess of the Renaissance.
The speed of its construction, a mere seven years, is astounding. It speaks volumes of the community’s dedication and the skill of the architects, Antonio da Lonate and Tommaso Rodari. Lonate, renowned for his work on the Vigevano Duomo, laid the church’s groundwork. Rodari, a celebrated sculptor and architect from Como, added his touch to the intricate portals and the graceful loggia beneath the dome. Inside the Santuario, a treasure trove of art and history awaits. Look upwards to the dome, where golden stars shimmer against a backdrop of deep blue, a masterpiece crafted by Giovanni Crespi. Intriguingly, this talented artist was the grandfather of Giovanni Battista Crespi, who would later gain fame as “Il Cerano.” The lower part of the dome is equally captivating, adorned with depictions of prophets and sibyls, bathed in the ethereal glow of the oculi.
But the artistic wonders don’t end there. The presbytery holds its own captivating tale, adorned with frescoes by Giovan Battista della Cerva, a pupil of the renowned Gaudenzio Ferrari. These paintings, depicting biblical scenes like the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Magi, and the Adoration of the Shepherds, infuse the space with a sense of divine drama and serenity. As you stand within the Santuario di Santa Maria di Piazza let the harmonious blend of architecture and artistry wash over you. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, community, and the artistic spirit of the Renaissance.