Milan
Well-balanced 17th c. church
The unusual concave-convex facade of the church of Santa Maria della Sanità can be seen on Via Durini, the old city road once crossed by the river Seveso.
It was begun in 1694 by the Crucifer monks (called that because of the cross on their habits, but today known as the Camillians) on the design by Giovan Battista Quadrio but completed according to the design by Carlo Federico Pietrasanta (who was responsible for the façade).
The church has a single vaulted nave with elliptical lunettes. There are four chapels with polychrome marble balustrades and altars (note the first chapel on the left dedicated to the founder of the Order of S. Camillo de Lellis with its lovely 18th c. marble altar).
The facade is divided into two orders and topped by a curved pediment; it still remains incomplete. The brick surface has niches and pilasters but the lack of decoration and statues, and the splendid curves give the church a fascinating and unusual sinuous harmony.
| Neighborhood: | Downtown |
| Address: | Via Durini, 18 |
| Milan, 20122 |
| Nearest train: | MM1 San Babila |