The San Gottardo Church is a hidden gem in Milan’s architectural landscape, displaying the city’s rich religious and artistic heritage. Built in the 14th century as part of the Ducal Palace complex, this Gothic-style church is renowned for its distinctive octagonal bell tower and intricate frescoes. Despite its relatively small size, San Gottardo is of significant historical importance. It served as the chapel for the Visconti family, Milan’s ruling dynasty at the time.
History
The chapel was named for Saint Gotthard when it was first constructed in 1336. It was constructed as a chapel for the ducal court by Azzone Visconti, and according to legend, Francesco Pecorari, a Cremonese architect, was in charge of the construction.
The church was initially called after the Virgin Mary, but it was later renamed after Saint Gotthard in honor of his thaumaturgical abilities against gout. In 2014, Venerando Fabbrica del Duomo renovated the church of San Gottardo, which was once the ancient Chapel of Palazzo Reale. The Church has a rectangular hall with three divisions and an octagonal apse at the end.
Interior of the church
The interior was entirely renovated and transformed during the Neoclassical era. It features a piece of a previously outside fresco depicting the Crucifixion, which was painted by a disciple of Giotto sometime in the middle of the 14th century. There is also a painting by Cerano of San Carlo in Glory and a painting by Giovanni di Balduccio of the Sepulcher of Azzone Visconti.
Crucifixion
You can also see the Crucifixion-themed fresco at the Giotto School. It was probably positioned there to decorate a refectory hall that had previously been beneath the bell tower and outside the San Gottardo church. The fresco was moved inside the cathedral early in the 20th century. Above the entrance, they constructed a gallery that connected to the Palazzo Reale.
Funeral of Azzone Visconti
A marble plaque dedicated to Azzone Visconti is on one side of the altar. This marble memorial was created between 1340 and 1344 by Giovanni di Balduccio.
Sculpture of Sarcophagus
Alongside other images of the towns ruled by the Visconti family, the Sarcophagus sculpture shows Azzone in a prone position. The main setting of the sculpture features Saint Ambrose in the center.
Contents
Paintings
The Milanese San Gottardo Church has many paintings adorning its side altars. These include Martin Knoller’s 1779 oil painting Saint Gotthard and Giuliano Traballesi’s The Assumption.
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