Best known for the cultural activities promoted by the San Fedele Jesuits, Milan’s San Fedele Auditorium is an extraordinary event space that has recently undergone restoration. It now offers the highest quality acoustics and boasts a movable acoustic shell, a wooden side wing in the stage area, and wooden panels in the five ceiling bays. The large auditorium will also host a series of magical candlelight concerts that re interpret the music of yesteryear and more contemporary music.
Located in the center of Milan, in Piazza San Fedele, the auditorium is easily accessible from Milan’s main sites and points of interest by public transportation. Whether by bus, streetcar or subway it is very easy to get there, in fact it is just a short walk from La Scala Theater and the Duomo. Just because of its centrality, we recommend that you go there on foot so you can see a bit of the city.
Facts, trivia and interesting facts about the San Fedele Auditorium.
1. The San Fedele building was hit by World War II bombing in 1943.
A bombing severely damaged the church of San Fedele, which had been entrusted to the Jesuits until the suppression of the Order in 1773. The bomb also destroyed the adjacent building, then the headquarters of the Police Headquarters and formerly the Jesuit community.
2. In 1968, the new and current headquarters of the Cultural Center opened.
These spaces included the Gallery and Auditorium. The inauguration was attended by many personalities from culture, politics and religion, including the Superior General of the Society of Jesus at the time, Father Pedro Arrupe.
3. In the 2010s, new additions and innovations were made to the foundation.
It was not until 2011 that an Acusmonium, a 50-speaker orchestra that allows spatialization of sound, was installed. The San Fedele Auditorium remains to this day the only hall in Italy equipped with this system. A few years later, in 2015, the San Fedele Museum was born.
Candlelight concerts at the San Fedele Auditorium.
Candlelight brings to life the heavenly melodies of Ludovico Einaudi, pop hits by Coldplay, songs by Jovanotti, rock tunes by Led Zeppelin, and more. There is nothing better than listening to some of the most popular music in history in such a unique and atmospheric space.
What else can you do at the San Fedele Auditorium?
The foundation is not just about music. First and foremost, it is an institution dedicated to spirituality, but it is also a museum, a parish, and an incredible cultural space for the visual arts, offering so many exhibitions every year. The auditorium itself also hosts a series of film appointments, where some of the most popular cult films are shown.
Whether you want to spend the day watching an Italian classic at the foundation’s cineforum, browse the museum’s galleries, or relax listening to the greatest tunes in music history by candlelight, there is something for everyone at the San Fedele Auditorium and Foundation. Don’t miss these spectacular candlelight concerts that illuminate some of Milan’s most striking locations. These are unforgettable evenings to share with your loved ones.