'600 - '700
From 1535 to 1713 Milan was occupied by the Spaniards: the status of “occupied territory” continued, with changing fortunes, after the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), and also with the Austrian occupation, until the Second Italian War of Independence, although with the short period of Napoleonic occupation. For this reason, Milan probably holds the Italian record for longest foreign occupation.
The restoration works we are presenting concern monuments built between the XVII and XVIII century up to the Napoleonic Era. During these years the town shows, in sync with the Western world, the distinguishing Baroque and Neoclassic features, often with local and original characteristics: a rich period of aesthetic and technical innovations regarding materials, construction techniques and new decorative setups.
A slow but gradual urban development, initially contained inside the town walls wanted by Charles V, participated to the development of the major works altready started at the end of the XVI century , like the Seminario Vescovile (the Bishopric Seminary), Brera Palace, the Collegio Elvetico (the Swiss School), and the continuation of other works such as the Duomo - Milan cathedral - always at the core of the architectural debate - the Cà Granda and the massive realization of hydraulic works aiming to complete and improve Navigli (Milan canal system) waterways. The town was filled with a constellation of new aristocratic buildings, such as Palazzo Litta, Palazzo Dugnani, and new churches like Sant’Alessandro, Santa Maria alla Porta, San Bernardino alle Ossa and San Vito al Pasquirolo.
In the late XVIII century, after a long period of peace and knowledgeable and steady administration, Milan was considered a farsighted town, driven by his economic and cultural growth. The heritage of this period can be seen in significant artworks such as, among others, the Rotonda della Besana, the Scala, Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Cusani, Palazzo Clerici, Villa Belgiogioso, Palazzo Serbelloni, the Arena Civica and also the first public green areas among which we have to mention the important compound of Villa Reale in Monza.
Arch. Libero Corrieri
Commission for the Architectural and Landscape Heritage of Milan
Highlights
Designed by Tuscan architect Domenico Giunti, architect of the Spanish governor Don Ferrante I Gonzaga, the construction of the church started on February 21st, 1552, with the participation of the best artists of the time. Inspired by the Manneristic trend, the façade was completed only towards the end of the seventeenth century, according to Giunti’s original design.
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The architectural complex consists of a series of buildings arising around four internal courtyards.
The main buildings date back to the XVII century and are characterized by the masonry vertical load-bearings structures, the wooden floors, and the brick structure placed on a thin wooden framing.
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L’edificio seicentesco del Cortile d’Onore dell’Università Cattolica costituiva il completamento dei chiostri bramanteschi
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L’apparato decorativo della volta è costituito dal grande ciclo di affreschi con Storie della Croce realizzato dai fratelli...
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