The Ospedale dei Bambini “Vittore Buzzi” is located at Via Castelvetro, #32.  The hospital opened in 1886.  At that time, there were only 12 to 14 beds available to its pediatric patients.  In 1967, the hospital expanded, thanks to a generous donation by Vittore Buzzi, and from then on, the institution was dedicated to him.

The Santuario di Santa Maria di Lourdes was built by the two priest brothers, Don Antonio and Don Giuseppe Videmari.  They wanted to build a sanctuary dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes, as a sign of thanks for Don Giuseppe’s recovery from a serious illness.  The brothers raised all the funds for the construction of the church, by selling bricks for ten cents each.  They were able to purchase the land for the sanctuary in 1893.  They included a replication of the Grotto of Lourdes, which was completed in 1895, and immediately became a popular destination for worshippers.  The campanile, one of the largest in the city, dates from 1931, and was designed by Giuseppe Calori.  At the base of the spire, you will find 4 angels: the Angel of Adoration, the Angel of Thanksgiving, the Angel of Propitiation, and the Angel of Impetration.

The church dates from 1897, and was designed by the architect, Alfredo Campanini.  On the façade, a lunette  features a mosaic, depicting the “Madonna shepherdess, among a flock of sheep.”

The first thing that caught my attention, after entering the church, was a large nativity scene, off to one side.

The colonnades of the side naves are decorated with frescoes, depicting a processional parade of bishops of Milan.

The church suffered damage during World War II, and was rebuilt in the years following the war.  The dome was designed by the architect, Marco Martinengo, and dates from 1958.  It was frescoed by Ferdinando Compagnoni.

The baptismal font features a marble statue of the Baby Jesus.

After finishing our visit to the church, we headed back outside, to see the replication of the Grotto of Lourdes.

The building, to the left of the grotto, was originally built as a convalescent home for the sick, because of the number of pilgrims suffering from illnesses, who came to pray at the grotto.  After World War II, and the bombings that damaged both, the church and the convalescent home, the latter became the parish house, a function it continues to hold today.

 

Next up: We make more discoveries, as we continue to explore our new neighborhood in Milan!

 

Note: This blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations that may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from Milan, as well as other Italian destinations.  Grazie!