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Oratory of Santa Maria Maddalena
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Show an other treasure of art and history in Milan:
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 Mostly represented styles: Baroque
The Oratory of Santa Maria Maddalena, also known as Oratory of Santa Maria Maddalena in Precotto or Oratory of Santa Maria Maddalena at the Cemetery, is a small oratory in the northeastern suburbs of Milan, in the Precotto quarter (quarter that until the '20s of the twentieth century was a separated comunity though).
It is located inside a small park and has recently been repainted on the outside almost completely white.
Unfortunately there is not a lot of information about its history. Therefore we here translate what is written on the page S.Maria Maddalena of the web site of the Diocese of Milan.
Dating back to 1500 in the structure, the oratory of Santa Maria Maddalena was certainly renovated in 1620; an ancient tombstone found at Precotto makes explicit reference: Anno mdcxx S. Maria Magdalena instaurata fuit. The facade however was rearranged at the beginning of '900.
The presence of this rural oratory in the ancient cemetery reminds us to its original function: hospice outside of town for pest victims and incurables during the tragic pest of Milan (1576-77).
Place therefore of pain and suffering. Perhaps it is for this reason that we find frescoes attributed to the school of Luini reproducing St. Mary Magdalene in penitence attitudes. The discovery of what is now called the Glory of Santa Maria Maddalena, is due to researches carried out in 1982.
Both the Glory and the Penitent Magdalene remind to similar existing versions in Luini style in the Certosa di Pavia and the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Milan. A medallion with God the Father attributed to Bramante school occupies the ceiling.
It may be added that as far as the interior there is much contrast between the apse, which contains the frescoes described above, and the nave, which is totally bare except for two niches occupied by statues.
As regards the outside, it is not present a separate bell tower, but only a small belfry, which at the time, however, does not have a bell.
Curious the presence of two huge buttresses, apparently absolutely oversized, on the left side (the right one is occupied by a small sacristy).
Further pictures of the Oratory of Santa Maria Maddalena in the section Photography of this web site
If you are interested in a guided tour of this monument send an email!
Categories: Churches / Religious buildings
Via Cislaghi 23, milano |
Further pictures of the Oratory of Santa Maria Maddalena in the section Photography |