On Via Sant’Antonio, just a few minutes from the Duomo, stands a complex that spans nearly eight centuries of history. The oldest documents date back to 1232, when the Antonian Order ran a treatment center there for patients suffering from shingles. Today, Casa Cardinal Ildefonso Schuster hosts conferences, presentations, exhibitions, and other events.
St. Charles Borromeo’s Gesture After the Plague
A turning point came in 1576. As a sign of gratitude for their dedication during the previous year’s plague epidemic, Cardinal Saint Charles Borromeo redeemed the complex and entrusted it to the Theatine Clerics. With their arrival, the House became a place of learning: it housed a school and, beginning in 1662, also the Accademia dei Faticosi, dedicated to Aristotelian ethics.
From a Religious Complex to a Prison
In 1798, the Theatine Order was suppressed by Napoleon. In the years that followed, the building changed function once again: it was used as a military warehouse and later became a prison for citizens considered republicans during the Austro-Russian occupation. In 1935, at the behest of Archbishop Ildefonso Schuster, the Ambrosian Church reacquired it, restoring it to its role as a cultural and spiritual center.
The 16th-Century Cloister and Today’s Events
Among the most striking features is the 16th-century cloister, with terracotta decorations restored between 1989 and 1992. Today, the Pius XII Hall can accommodate up to 440 people, while the cloister hosts exhibitions and installations.
Among the musical events on the calendar at Casa Schuster, the Candlelight concerts stand out: tributes to musical greats such as Cesare Cremonini and Hans Zimmer, with pieces reinterpreted live by string quartets in an intimate hall illuminated by thousands of candles.
8 November 2026 20:00 + more dates
8 November 2026 22:00 + more dates
13 November 2026 20:30 + more dates
13 November 2026 22:15 + more dates
28 November 2026 21:45
