Santa Maria presso San Celso

Santa Maria dei Miracoli presso San Celso is a church and a sanctuary in Milan, Lombardy, northern Italy.

History and overview

The construction was begun by

In the 16th century also the square portico in classical style was added, perhaps designed by Cesare Cesariano or Cristoforo Lombardo (il Lombardino). The massive eclectic and Mannerist style façade was designed by Galeazzo Alessi in the late 16th century and was realized by Martino Bassi; it is decorated by numerous statues and reliefs by Stoldo Lorenzi and Annibale Fontana.

From 1595 the organist was the keyboard virtuoso Giovanni Paolo Cima.

Interior

The interior houses numerous works by Milanese Renaissance and Baroque artists:

In the left transept, within an altar designed by Martino Bassi, is the venerated marble statue of the Assunta by Annibale Fontana (1586) with two later angels by Giulio Cesare Procaccini.

San Celso

Annexed to Santa Maria is the Romanesque church of San Celso, dedicated to the martyr Saint Celsus, which was largely demolished. It was founded in the 4th century and rebuilt in the 11th century.

The façade (remade in the 19th century) has a rose window and a Romanesque portal with animal figures decoration. Also from the 11th century is the bell tower.

See also

• History of early modern period domes

Notes

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