A jewel restored to the city
In just nine months of feverish work, in 2014, the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo completed the restoration of the Church of S. Gottardo, the old Chapel of Palazzo Reale.
With construction starting in 1336, the date inscribed on Azzone Visconti's dedication plaque placed upon the bell tower, it was probably built on the site of a pre-existing church, Ecclesia Fontis, or Ecclesia ad Fontes. The chapel was named after Saint Gotthard, protector of those suffering from gout, a disease from which Azzone Visconti is said to have suffered.
Church of San Gottardo in Corte, naveVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The church, by Francesco Pecorari, was designed as a single rectangular chamber, divided into three spans ending in an octagonal apse.
View of the bell tower of San Gottardo in Corte and Velasca TowerVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The chapel is characterized by several fine pieces of art: a splendid bell tower, in rose-colored terracotta, with white marble inserts, designed by Francesco Pecorari.
The bell tower gave its name to the area below it, also known as "Via delle Ore". In fact, the church bell tower housed one of the first public clocks in the city.
Crucifixion (1340 circa) by Giotto schoolVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The Giottesque-school fresco that is partially visible under the gallery area is of considerable interest. The presence of Giotto at the court of Azzone Visconti is indeed attested to.
Crucifixion, detail (1340 circa) by Giotto schoolVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Here we can admire a fresco depicting the Crucifixion by Giotto School, originally located outside the church, at the bottom of the bell tower - possibly as decoration for a refectory hall. It was moved inside the church at the beginning of the 20th century.
The Church of San Gottardo in CorteVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
A gallery positioned above the entrance was linked directly to Palazzo Reale.
Sarcophagus of Azzone Visconti (1339) by Giovanni di Balduccio and assistantsVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
A funerary monument to Azzone Visconti can be seen at the side of the altar, a work in marble created by Giovanni di Balduccio between 1340 and 1344.
The sarcophagus depicts Azzone lying down, below which are sculpted representations of the 10 cities subject to the Visconti domain.
Sarcophagus of Azzone Visconti, detail (1339) by Giovanni di Balduccio and assistants and Giovanni Balduccio e aiutiVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Sarcophagus of Azzone Visconti (1339) by Giovanni di Balduccio and assistantsVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
In the central scene, two angels open a cloak and Saint Ambrose is in the center, with two figures below him: Azzone Visconti and the Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria, in the act of conferring upon him the honor of imperial vicar..
Saint Gotthard (1779) by Martin Knoller and Martin KnollerVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Along the nave, several paintings adorn the side altars, including the 1779 oil on canvas, Saint Gotthard, by Martin Knoller and the Assumption by Giuliano Traballesi.
Assumption (1745/1760) by Giuliano TraballesiVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Madonna of the Lost (Seconda metà del XX secolo) by Romano RuiVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Under the tribune, in a niche, you can see the altarpiece Madonna dei Dispersi by Romano Rui, from the second half of the 20th century.
Madonna of the Lost, detail (Second half of the 20th century) by Romano RuiVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Church of San Gottardo in Corte, vaultVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Nowadays the church is part of the Duomo Museum exhibition itinerary, usually hosting temporary exhibitions and series of conferences.
In dialogue with contemporaneity
In the external courtyard, near the entrance to via Pecorari, the contemporary artwork Paradosso can be seen, a marble sculpture commissioned in 2014 by the Veneranda Fabbrica to the English artist Tony Cragg.
Read more on Milan Cathedral Remixed.
