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Small Church of Sant'Agostino
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Show an other treasure of art and history in Milan:
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 Mostly represented styles: Baroque
The small Church of Sant Augustine is not a stately church or even showy, and even among the Milanese there are few who know it, perhaps because in the shadow of the Basilica of St. Ambrogio. Nevertheless it is of great historical importance, since its very ancient origins.
Some experts believe that it is the original baptistery of the Basilica, transformed later in a the place of devotion and worship of St. Augustine.
A plaque on the facade reminds the baptism of Augustine by St. Ambrose, on the night of Holy Saturday, 387 AD. There is written on it:
"DIVUS AUGUSTINUS AD LUCEM FIDEI PER SANCTUM AMBROSIUM EVOCATUS HIC UNDA CAELESTI ABLUITUR. ANNO DOMINI CCCLXXXVII"
Although the origins of the church are early medieval, the facade and the interior are the result of a restructuring of the seventeenth century. Next to the church a stone mixtilinear arch allows access to an alley that leads directly to a side entrance of the Basilica of St. Ambrose.
On the front of the altar, next to the image of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus in her arms, there are two round paintings of St. Augustine, left in the role of bishop, right as Doctor of the Church. On the right, looking at the altar, a fresco of an anonymous Milanese (XVIII century). It depicts Augustine, sitting under a tree, in Roman costume, young, with curly hair, holding out his hand to a man who offers him a book (on the cover reads: "Epis. B. Pauli ap.") .
If you are interested in a guided tour of this monument send an email!
Categories: Churches / Religious buildings
via Lanzone, 30 - 20123 Milano
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Further pictures of the Small Church of Sant'Agostino in the section Photography |