Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli near San Celso

The church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli near San Celso is one of the most extraordinary examples of Renaissance architecture in Milan, as well as a place of great religious devotion. Its history has deep roots, dating back to the 4th century, when a chapel was built on the site where it is believed that Saint Nazarus was martyred. This primitive chapel was replaced in the 9th century by a church dedicated to Saint Celso, one of the first martyrs of Milan. The real impetus for the construction of the current sanctuary occurred in 1485, when an image of the Madonna with the Child, considered miraculous, began to attract numerous pilgrims. The Madonna appeared on a wall of the ancient church of San Celso and is said to have performed many miracles, including miraculous healings. For this reason, it was decided to erect a new, larger and more splendid church to accommodate the faithful. Work began in 1493, based on a design by the architect Gian Giacomo Dolcebuono, assisted by Giovanni Battagio. The church, completed in 1506, is distinguished by its elegant Renaissance facade, the work of Galeazzo Alessi, completed in 1576. The facade is adorned with numerous statues and bas-reliefs depicting biblical episodes and saints, the work of various Lombard sculptors of the 16th century. Its structure is characterized by a lower Doric order and an upper Ionic order, with a large central pediment overlooking the entrance portal. Inside, the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli is a triumph of art and devotion. The central nave is covered by a barrel vault decorated with frescoes by Camillo Procaccini and Carlo Urbino, depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The side chapels are richly decorated with paintings and stuccoes, including works by Antonio Campi and Giovanni Battista Crespi, known as il Cerano. One of the focal points of the church is the main altar, which houses the miraculous image of the Madonna, a detached fresco placed in a richly decorated niche. The altar is a Baroque masterpiece, created by Martino Bassi and completed in 1603, with a splendid frame of polychrome marbles and golden statues representing angels and saints. Next to the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli is the cloister of the convent of San Celso, a peaceful green space surrounded by Renaissance arches, where monks once meditated and prayed. The cloister is decorated with frescoes and sculptures that tell the story of the convent and its patron saints. The church is also famous for its tall and slender bell tower, which dominates the neighborhood’s skyline. The bell tower was built in the 16th century and houses a series of bells that play traditional melodies during religious festivities. An interesting feature of the church is the presence of numerous relics of saints, including those of Saint Celso and Saint Nazarus. These relics are kept in precious reliquaries and attract many devotees, especially during liturgical celebrations. Over the centuries, the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli near San Celso has undergone various restorations and expansions, which have helped preserve its beauty and integrity. Among the most significant restorations are those of the 19th century, which brought to light numerous original frescoes and decorations, and those of the 20th century, which consolidated the structure and improved the internal lighting.