Baggio Old Church

The Chiesa di Sant'Apollinare is a church complex in Milan's Baggio district that dates back to the 13th century. Its surviving perimeter walls display medieval construction techniques and architectural features characteristic of that era.

Bishop Enrico I da Settala founded this complex in the medieval period, connecting it to a monastery and acquiring significant religious relics. This foundation made the site an important spiritual center for the surrounding area.

The name refers to Saint Apollinaris, whose veneration shaped the spiritual identity of this Baggio neighborhood for centuries. Visitors can still sense this religious connection when walking through the remaining walls.

The site is publicly accessible, though visitors should know that only the perimeter walls and limited structures remain visible. It is best to explore on foot and observe the surrounding neighborhood to fully understand how the place fits within the Baggio area.

After closing as a place of worship in 1782, the site was repurposed and served for many years as a weapons storage facility. This unexpected shift reveals how sacred spaces could take on entirely different roles when their original purpose ended.