The Civic Temple of San Sebastiano in Milan, an architectural jewel on Turin Street, has finally reopened its doors after a meticulous two-year restoration.
This extraordinary circular building has returned to its former glory thanks to an intervention commissioned by the City of Milan.
Not familiar with it? In fact, it is one of the most underrated sacred buildings in the Lombard capital, despite its very central location.
But today we reveal why you need to catch up and visit the beautiful Civic Temple of San Sebastiano as soon as possible.
A Renaissance masterpiece brought back to light
The restoration of the Temple of St. Sebastian has achieved amazing results: the work has revealed unexpected details and vivid colors that had been obscured by time.
The frescoes of the four Evangelists and the four Doctors of the Latin Church decorating the eight segments of the dome, the work of Agostino Comerio and Lazzaro Pasini, were meticulously cleaned and restored. The drum of the dome, with its alternating representations of prophets and sibyls, has regained its original majesty.
Among the most notable elements that emerged from the restoration were the Carrara marble Pietà by Domenico Trentacoste, which now shines with renewed beauty, and the altarpiece of St. Eligius by Andrea Lanzani, restored to its former glory.
The church’s interior has regained a brightness and vibrant color that amazes those who visited the church before the work.
Exemplary restoration work
The restoration project, described as “one of the finest ever in recent years, “ required specialized skills and a meticulous approach. Experts worked carefully to clean and consolidate the frescoes, restore the sculptural works, bring back the original colors, and preserve the structural integrity of the building.
This intervention not only restored beauty to the temple but also ensured its preservation for future generations.
A history that belongs to us
The Temple of San Sebastiano in Milan is a silent witness to Milan’s past. Its history begins way back in 1509, when the city was at the height of the Renaissance. But it was only after the terrible plague of 1576 that the temple took on an even deeper significance.
St. Charles Borromeo, a central figure in Milan at the time, wanted this building as an ex voto, a tangible thanksgiving for the end of the epidemic. Forty years later, in 1616, the temple was consecrated, becoming a beacon of hope after another wave of plague.
The choice to dedicate it to St. Sebastian was not accidental: this saint was considered the protector against plagues, an intercessor to whom the Milanese always turned in their darkest moments.
Its status as a “Civic Temple” makes it even more special: it belongs to the city, to all of us, as a shared treasure that chronicles the resilience and faith of the Milanese through the centuries.
Its circular shape, unique in the city’s architectural landscape, seems to embrace worshippers and visitors alike, harmoniously combining Renaissance style with Baroque touches, a true jewel in the beating heart of Milan.
An invitation to dream and discover
Often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of Via Torino, the Temple deserves a pause to be admired. Crossing the threshold, the frescoes on the dome tell ancient stories in wonderful colors. Each restored brushstroke transports us to the past.
The Civic Temple of St. Sebastian is not just a monument, but a sensory experience, and the restoration has breathed life back into this masterpiece, inviting us to rediscover everyday beauty.
Next time you pass through Turin Street, take a break from shopping. Enter the Temple of St. Sebastian and let its reborn beauty tell you a centuries-old story, giving you an experience that will warm your heart.
📍Address: 28 Turin Street.
⏱️Orario: Mon-Sat 08:00-12:00, 15:00-18:30, Sun 09:30-12:00, 14:30-19:30.
📞Telephone: 02 874263.
Website: Civic Temple of St. Sebastian.