The center of Milan is full of interesting monuments, views, buildings and much more to see. Among these are certainly the different churches that are located in the area. Starting from Piazza Duomo and reaching Piazza XIV Maggio, there are seven churches, all different in importance and styles. So here is our guide to visit them!
Now that the museums are closed why not look for a bit of beauty in the churches of the city, where you can enter not only by faith but also to see impressive frescoes and architectural solutions, typical only of our city.
The churches of via Torino
Going along via Torino and getting lost between one shop window and another, you come across some valuable churches. First of all the church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro . As soon as you enter, you will be amazed by the wonder of its interiors. Of particular interest is the terracotta relief behind the altar. Made by Donato Bramante it is nothing more than an optical illusion . It is said that it could be the first example of trampe l’oeil linked to architecture. Another peculiarity of the church is located on the back in via Speronari: the Romanesque bell tower.
Continuing on the opposite side of the road you come across the Civic Temple of San Sebastiano . The church demonstrates its particularity from a first external glance: it is in fact one of the few places of worship with a central plan . Upon entering you will immediately notice the majestic frescoed dome and the various works of art in the various chapels. Finally, the church has a certain importance for Milan and its history, and this is also denoted by the various references to the city present within it.
The church of Sant’Alessandro is slightly out of sight. It is in fact located in a small but silent square parallel to via Torino. The homonymous square is almost entirely occupied by the imposing church. This place is one of the richest documents of art between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Its interior completely reflects the Spanish period during which it was built. In fact, in a troubled period, men sought refuge in faith and that is why the church is so rich in gold and paintings: they are the symbol of light in full darkness.
Returning to via Torino and continuing a little further on, you come across Piazza San Giorgio. Here is the church of San Giorgio al Palazzo . The place where the building stands already has in itself a valid reason to stop. Here once stood the Roman Palatium wanted by the Emperor Diocletian and, later, the Edict of Milan was also signed here .
The churches from the Columns of San Lorenzo to Piazza XIV Maggio
At the end of via Torino it is easy to take the direction of the columns of San Lorenzo. Here is the Basilica of San Lorenzo , certainly one of the most important buildings for its architecture. Of very ancient origins, it was remodeled several times, and in the works between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the dome was also reworked , making it one of the largest in Milan. If entering you are fascinated by the works of art, outside the peculiarity is constituted by the columns that recall the ancient four-sided portico of the Roman era.
Not far away is the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Milan. It, of medieval origin, became the Humiliated and then the Dominican nuns is today the seat of the Romanian Church of the Patriarchate of Bucharest . Inside are the remains of Cardinal Luigi Omodei.
Finally, the last of the seven churches of our guide is the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio . The church houses inside the remains of the Magi who were sacked by Barbarossa and only in the twentieth century were partially returned to the city of Milan. In the chapels there are also the funeral monument of the Visconti and the ark of St. Peter the martyr.
