Church of Santa Maria Alla Porta

The Church of Santa Maria alla Porta is one of Milan’s many cultural and architectural attractions. It was built in 1652 by the famous architect Francesco Ricini. Earlier on the site of Santa Maria alla Porta was an earlier temple building dating from the XII century. The construction of the church was completed under the direction of engineer Francesco Borromini, who designed most of the Baroque elements.

The toponymic suffix “Alla Porta” is translated from Italian as “At the Gate”. The church is located on the site where the gates to the ancient city of Porta Vercellina were previously located.

The church of Santa Maria alla Porta is a bright representative of the Baroque style. It is filled with various hyperbolic elements that give it expressiveness and harmony. The facade of the building is decorated with two tapering columns, statues and relief images of saints. The triangular roof of the church is decorated with a sculptural composition. The interior of the temple is also made in the Baroque style. Its apse and murals are the result of the work of Christopher Costolani. Behind the altar are relief images of St. Mary.