Basilica of San Magno, Legnano

Polyptich depicting the Enthroned Madonna and Child surrounded by Angels with Musical Instruments (1523) by Bernardino Luini

The Basilica of San Magno is a Renaissance style Roman Catholic Basilica church in Legnano, in the Province of Milan, Italy.[1] It is the main church in Legnano.

History

Basilica di San Magno, Legnano

It was commissioned by the Lampugnani and Vismara families from Legnano; and built in 1503-1514. It was built atop an ancient church dedicated to San Salvatore. A bas-relief from the ancient church is embedded into the outer wall of the bell-tower (the latter built in 1752). The original architect of the present Basilica is unknown, although the design derives much influence from the Milanese work of Donato Bramante, and reflects a centralized Greek Cross layout, with a center octagonal atrium and circumferential chapels. The church atrium and facade were modified in the 17th-century by Francesco Maria Richini. The three bronze doors were dedicated in 1976, on the 800th anniversary of the Battle of Legnano, and were sculpted by Franco Dotti. The remains of the Romanesque has a frieze in Latin stating PABULA VINA CERES RIVORUM COPIA TEMPLUM LEGNANUM ILLUSTRANT MULTAQUE NOBILITAS (The copious harvest of food and wine from Legnano allowed the Nobility to erect this temple).

The ceiling was frescoed in 1515 by Gian Giacomo Lampugnani and Giovanni Martino Casa. The prize of the works in the church is the polyptich depicting the Enthroned Madonna and Child surrounded by Angels with Musical Instruments (1523) by Bernardino Luini. The lateral scenes depict Saints John the Baptist and Peter; and below Saints Magnus and Ambrose. The tympanum of the polyptich has a fresco of God the Father, while the predella has monocrome scenes of the life of Jesus. The frescoes in the main chapel and others were painted by Bernardino Lanino. The main altarpiece of Saints Charles and Magnus before the Lamb (1845) was painted by Antonio Cassani. Other chapels are painted by members of the Turri family, including the ceiling frescoes (1842) by Mosè Turri in the Baptistery. Lampugnani frescoed many of the chapels.[2]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to San Magno (Legnano).
  1. ↑ Visita Milano official tourist site, entry on church.
  2. ↑ Official Parish site, history and artwork.

Coordinates: 45°35′42″N 8°55′09″E / 45.5949°N 8.9192°E / 45.5949; 8.9192

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