C28. SIDE ALTAR OF NORTH TRANSEPT GSV
The North transept features the Altar of Santa Tecla, adorned with a marble altarpiece depicting the saint among lions. This altar, created by Carlo Beretta in 1754, showcases the story of Santa Tecla’s devotion to chastity and her miraculous survival from being mauled by lions. Unfortunately during this visit, this altar is surrounded by builder’s sheeting. INDEX
C29. SMALL ORGAN GSV TA
A small organ has been brought into use during renovations. The second view shows the transept as it should be, with an Easterly window, and another side altar. [Photo2 Credit Massimiliano P]
C30. SOUTH TRANSEPT GSV
We cross over to the South transept – another wide space with columns separating the aisle on each side. We investigate the East wall.
C31. EAST WALL OF SOUTH TRANSEPT GSV
There are two altars on this side, with a gruesome naked figure standing in between.
C32. ST BARTHOLOMEW AND EAST ALTARS TA x3
At left is the Altar of St Joseph. I can find no explanation of the carving. •• The statue of St Bartholomew dates from 1562, and is by Marco d’Agrate. It depicts Saint Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles, who,according to tradition, was martyred by being flayed alive. The statue strikingly portrays him with his own skin draped over his shoulder like a cloak. •• At right is the Altar of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary at the Temple. This altar by Bambaia dates from around 1543. [Photo1 Credit Marge] [Photo2 Credit Befreefortravel] [Photo3 Credit: Reitan-BR ]
C33. EAST WINDOW OF SOUTH TRANSEPT GSV
There is a stained glass window on the East wall of this transept, soaring some 20 metres up to the ceiling. These windows would make an interesting study, if you could see the detail!
C34. SOUTH WINDOW OF SOUTH TRANSEPT GSV
A further window is at the South end of the Eastern aisle.
C35. SOUTH AISLE OF THE SOUTH TRANSEPT TA
This large transept in fact has a Southern aisle, passing in front of the main altar. [Photo Credit: julie g]
C36. SOUTH WALL OF THE SOUTH TRANSEPT GSV
We stand back to admire the main altar, and all the stained glass.
C37. SOUTH TRANSEPT ALTAR GSV
This is the Altar of San Giovanni Bono. It is a combination of sculptural pieces, with the main statue of San Giovanni Bono sculpted by Elia Vincenzo Buzzi in 1763. The altar also features statues of a Guardian Angel and St Michael, which were created by Giovanni Bellandi 140 years earlier. The inscription ‘Ego sum pastor bonus’ (I am the Good Shepherd) is found beneath the statue of San Giovanni Bono. San Giovanni Bono was an Archbishop of Milan in the 7th century and is venerated as a Saint.
C38. SOUTHWEST CORNER GSV TA
We move to the Southwest corner of the transept where there are several items of interest. One is the ornate gold sculpture of Christ on the Cross. [Photo2 Credit: nanaantras]
C39. MEDICI TOMB AND WINDOW TA GSV TA
Nearby is the Medici tomb. This is actually a funerary monument dedicated to Gian Giacomo Medici, also known as ‘Medeghino’, not a tomb for the entire Medici family. The monument, a notable example of late Renaissance funerary art, was commissioned by Pope Pius IV in honor of his brother, Gian Giacomo. While initially attributed to Michelangelo, it is now known to be primarily the work of Leone Leoni, though he did consult with Michelangelo. [Photo1 Credit: nibianco2 ] [Photo3 Credit: worktotravel14]
C40. ANOTHER WEST WINDOW OF SOUTH TRANSEPT TA x3
There are two windows on the West wall of this transept. The altar below was granted to Saint Charles Borromeo by his maternal uncle, pope Pius IV. The last photo here shows us some of the detail appearing in the Cathedral windows. [Photo1 Credit: Andres 72423] [Photo Credit: Robert M] [Photo Credit:Mike X]
C42. DETAIL OF NORTH AMBULATORY INNER WALL GSV
The inner ambulatory wall separates the ambulatory from the chancel / sanctuary (above) and the crypt (below). The wall here features various angels and bas-relief scenes, and there is an entry down to the crypt.
C43. NORTH AMBULATORY OUTER WALL TA
On the bouter wall there are various sculptures and plaques. •• At left a monument to Pope Pius IV [1566] is supported on a base by Francesco Brambilla the Elder. •• Next to it is a fresco of a Crucifixion scene attributed to an anonymous 15th century painter. Above the fresco is a tombstone dating to 1401. •• At right is an obscure text acknowledging the work of Peter Carcanus for the erection and decoration of the front of this temple. [Photo Credit: Angelo S]
C44. NORTHERN VIEW OF APSE GSV
We come now to the first of the magnificent apse windows. There is an image of the crucified Christ below.
C45. NORTHEAST APSE WINDOW TA TA TA
The three large windows of the apse are a highlight, known for their size and the vibrant light they cast, illuminating the apse with a ‘cascade of light’. The central window depicts the Apocalypse, while the two lateral windows narrate stories from the Old and New Testaments. These windows are massive: the side windows measure 20.7 x 8.5 metres (68 x 28 feet). [Photo1 Credit: wiseguy14] [Photo2 Credit: Angelo S ] [Photo3 Credit: Remus_ro]
C46. EASTERN APSE WINDOW TA TA TA
The Eastern apse window is the one seen down the central nave aisle. At top centre this window has a sparkling sun which seems to illuminate the nave. Beneath the window is a monument to St Charles Borromeo. The inscription on the monument clearly identifies it as dedicated to ‘SANCTO CAROLO BORROMAO CARDINALI-ARCHIEPISCOPO MEDIOLANI,’ which translates to Saint Charles Borromeo, Cardinal-Archbishop of Milan. [Photo1 Credit: sha1955 ] [Photo2 Credit: wiseguy 1282005] [Photo3 Credit: Angelo S]
C47. SOUTHEAST APSE WINDOW TA TA
Here is the third apse window, to the Southeast. Despite his injuries, St Bartholomew seems to have been moving around! [Photo1 Credit Robert M] [Phot2o Credit Angelo S]
C48. UNDER THE APSE WINDOW GSV TA
There are three items beneath this window. •• At left is a small relief of Jesus and angels. •• At centre is a large framed standard of Mary (late 16th century), formerly owned by the ‘Congregazione del Rosario’, in silk embroidered in silver and gold. It is an example of the famous luxury production in silk and precious metals exported all over Europe by Milan during the Spanish rule. •• At right is an old Chi-Rho emblem of Christ, with added Alpha and Omega. [Photo2 Credit: admaiora]