ART IN MILAN
Did you know that Milan has a church that can easily compete with the famous Sistine Chapel depicted by Michelangelo? Apparently small and humble San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore located in Corso Magenta 13 (only 5 minutes walk from Duomo di Milano) veils perhaps the biggest artistic treasure of the city.
The spectacular interior of this building measures over 4,000 square meters of masterpiece frescoes that can astonish the biggest experts of the Italian art. Hundreds of unique paintings, rich decorations, vibrant colors and exquisite details of this church were done by illustrious Bernarino Luini and other noted masters of the school of Leonardo. It took more than 20 years to restore San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore and its mural heritage.
Recently preservation works have been finally completed, and now anyone can enjoy the beauty of the jewel hidden behind anonymous walls of the church. But why so precious and so secret? This church of early Christian origins dating back to the IX century and rebuilt in 1503 was constructed for cloistered nuns of noble origins. The whole structure of San Maurizio is in fact divided into two parts. The first one facing the street Corso Magenta was built for general public. Instead the second secret fraction veiled by a tall wall that rises up to the vault springer but however does not reach the ceiling was dedicated to the cloistered sisters. Luckily today anyone can visit both parts: to enjoy the beauty of the first room and to discover unexpectedly huge and splendid hall of the nuns.
Maria Novozhilova
e-mail: novozhilovam.blog@gmail.com
twitter: @NovozhilovaM