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Opera (Milan, Italy): Abbey of Mirasole
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 The Abbey of Mirasole is the smallest of the three abbeys that are located on the border south of Milan. The complex has been recently restored and is now an unexpected oasis of peace in an area with strong industrial vocation.
The abbey was founded in the first half of the thirteenth century in the form of farm-abbey by the order of the Humiliated, who dedicated themselves to the cultivation of the fields and the manufacture of woolen cloth with innovative methods for those time. The order of the Humiliated was suppressed in 1582 and the abbey was officiated by the Olivetani, while the assets passed to the Helvetic College. In 1797 the entire structure of the Abbey was given by Napoleon in property to the 'Fondazione Policlinico' of Milan that, also under the impulse of the Association for Mirasole Abbey founded in 1981, oversaw the restoration.
The complex includes the church of the Abbey of Mirasole, a large courtyard, the entrance to which is surmounted by a thirteenth-century tower, and a fifteenth-century cloister.
The facade of the church of the Abbey of Mirasole is characterized by a rose window and two bas-reliefs in terracotta from the late fourteenth century and depicting an "Agnus Dei", an ancient sign of the Humiliated, and the celebration of a Mass. The interior has a single nave, with bare walls, but with richly frescoed presbytery. On its voult you can in fact find the figures of the four Evangelists, while on the back wall there is the Holy Trinity, surrounded by angels, and the Assumption of the Virgin (fresco dating from between 1460 and 1470).
On the east side of the church there is a chapel dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin (1575-76), also richly frescoed.
On top of the tower there is not a cross, but a stylized sun with eyes, mouth and nose.
Categories: Places of historical value of artistic value
Strada consortile mirasole
20090 OPERA (MI) |
Further pictures of Abbey of Mirasole in the section Photography |