Santa Maria presso San Satiro, Bramante.

Santa Maria Presso San Satiro - One of the first Tromp l'oeil's
1472
Location: Milano, Italy
Architect: Bramante
VD says: A sublime and fundamental project

The edifice has a nave and two aisles with barrel vault. The nave is surmounted by an emispherical dome at the crossing with the transept. The choir, which had to be truncated due to the presence of a main road, was replaced by Bramante with a painted perspective, realizing in this way one of first examples of trompe l'oeil in history of art.


The Chiesa Santa Maria Presso di San Satiro (commonly known just as San Satiro) is a beautiful church just south of the Duomo in Milan.

History. 

First built in 876, the church was dedicated to St. Satyrus, brother of St. Ambrose, and stands on the reputed site of his house. Later the church was dedicated also to Mary, so that the church's full name is now "St. Mary Staying with St. Satyrus."

While San Satiro is now eclipsed by more famous Milan churches, it was an important pilgrimage site in the 13th and 14th centuries, after news spread through Christendom that an image of the Madonna here shed real blood when stabbed.

An architectural gem, San Satiro was later perfected by Bramante (1444-1514), demonstrating his command of proportion and perspective, keynotes of Renaissance architecture.

What to See. 

Bramante created a marvelous relief behind the high altar with trompe l'oeilcolumns and arches. The effect is not entirely convincing but nonetheless magical. His work also accommodated a beloved 13th-century fresco.

Another gem lies to the rear of the left transept: the Cappella della Pietà, so called for the 15th-century terra-cotta Pietà it now houses. It was originally built in the 9th century to honor Saint Satiro, brother of Saint Ambrose. Even more attractive than the namesake statue, though, are the Byzantine frescoes and Romanesque columns of the chapel.

os recomiendo ir a Milán y pasaros por la Via Torino (at Via Speronari), Milan