Certosa di Garegnano Monastery, Northwest Milan

Certosa di Garegnano Monastery, Northwest Milan

Important 14th-century Carthusian monastery

featured in Sights & sites

This Carthusian monastery once stood at the centre of the village of Garegnano, nearly four miles beyond the city walls. It was founded in 1349 by bishop Giovanni Visconti to allow monks to live in silence and solitude.

Building works finished in 1352. The monastery received important visits, even writer Petrarca lodged inside. However, it had a complicated history due to continuous attacks.

In the 15th century, thieves ransacked the monastery and stole many artefacts. Finally in the 16th century, a band of robbers headed up by James Legorino, were defeated, and Legorino captured - he was executed, aged 30, close to the monastery, along with the Baptist Scorlino who had confessed to over 300 murders.

In the late 16th and early 17th century, the monks decided to completely renovate their monastery, constructing a new tomb. They also invested in frescoes and paintings - Simon Peterzano painted the walls around the altar with scenes depicting the life of Jesus, and produced three large paintings which currently sit behind the altar.

The monastery of Milan was abolished by Emperor Joseph II in 1782 and, as a result, fell into disrepair - the church was used to store gunpowder. The Certosa di Garegnano was subject to major restoration works during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Watch out for

This monastery's church is popularly known as "the Sixtine Chapel of Milan". Inside there are frescoes by some of the most important Milanese painters of the 16th century, including Simone Peterzano, Daniele Crespi and Bernardo Zenale.

Visitor comments

"Exquisite art, not to be missed during your Milan visit, even if located 30+ minutes from the center." - Trip Advisor
"I walk past this church three times a week, but never venture past the imposing frontage. Last week, however, following the loss of a dear friend, I decided to spend a few minutes in quiet contemplation, and pray for her. As I walked into the church, for the first time, I was stunned by the beauty that beheld me. The frescos, the sheer immensity of the church, and the solitude. Whether it is for quiet prayer, or to marvel at the artwork, this is a church not to be ignored." - Trip Advisor
"This late Renaissance church, once the centre of an important Chartreuse, is totally decorated inside with an extremely well preserved cycle of frescos authored by the most important Lombard painters from the beginning of XVII century. The colours are still very bright, and the stories well enjoyable. It is definitely one of the art highlights in town" - Trip Advisor

Directions

From Milan centre, take tram number 14 (direction Cimitero Maggiore, get off at stop Via Certosa/Via Gradisca), or bus number 80 (stop on Via Cefalonia/Conad).