Santa Maria alla Fontana Church, Renaissance church in Milan, Italy
Santa Maria alla Fontana is a Renaissance religious complex in Milan centered on a square sanctuary. It includes two rectangular cloisters and an upper chapel surrounded by a four-sided columned portico where water fountains are positioned throughout.
French governor Charles II d'Amboise commissioned the construction in 1507 after experiencing healing from the natural spring. The site subsequently developed into a pilgrimage destination where people came seeking similar cures for centuries.
The church takes its name from the natural spring that drew visitors seeking healing, a purpose that remains evident in how the space is arranged. The layout reflects how water and faith were intertwined in Renaissance religious life.
The site is best explored on foot, moving gradually through its different levels and sections. Visitors should be prepared to move between interior and exterior areas, and note that stairs connect the upper chapel with the lower courtyards below.
The fountain room contains 16th-century frescoes painted by the workshop of Bernardino Luini, an important Renaissance artist. These works are noteworthy because they document the original connection between water, art, and spiritual healing that defined the site's purpose.
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