DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7186#0039
Plates 5 & 6.
THE CHURCH AND CAMPANILE OF SAN GOTTARDO,
IN MILAN.
N the ruins of the church of San Giovanni al Fonte, a very ancient
baptistery for males according to the rite of the Milanese church,
Azzo Visconti, lord of Milan, erected the church of San Gottardo,
adjacent to the royal palace. Of this church there now remain only the terra-
cotta apse behind the choir, and the very fine campanile. (See Plates 5, 6.)
The chronicler Fiamma, who lived soon after Azzo, thus describes it:
' This magnificent chapel is enclosed by lofty walls, and roofed by three vaults ;
and possesses admirable pictures in gold and azure,1 of a marvellous workman-
ship. In the principal chapel, where stands the high altar, are screens made
of metals and gems. There are portrayed sundry incidents of the life of the
Madonna; and there are some wonderful windows; nor do all the kingdoms
of the world contain a more wonderful work. The choir is wainscoted with
finely-wrought ivory, and contains two pulpits, great and high, also of ivory;
a sight stupendous to behold. Many altars are there ornamented with gold
and silk, and other things, such as cannot be fully recounted or described.'
This same Fiamma thus writes of the campanile of San Gottardo: ' At
one side of the church is built the campanile of terra-cotta, adorned from
summit to base with small marble columns, which give great delight to the
gazer.'
On this tower was placed the first clock which struck the hours in Milan,
and the contiguous Via delle Ore derived from it the name which it still bears.2
1 It is presumable that these pictures were by Giotto; d'Horlogerie) and by Dubois (Histoire de l'Horlogerie);
in fact, Vasari writes that, in 1333, Giotto was already though they agree in assigning priority of date to the
painting in Milan. clock invented in 1324 by the English Benedictine
2 The first mechanical clock was erected in Padua; Wallingford.
an opinion held also by Moinet (Nouveau Traite General
G
THE CHURCH AND CAMPANILE OF SAN GOTTARDO,
IN MILAN.
N the ruins of the church of San Giovanni al Fonte, a very ancient
baptistery for males according to the rite of the Milanese church,
Azzo Visconti, lord of Milan, erected the church of San Gottardo,
adjacent to the royal palace. Of this church there now remain only the terra-
cotta apse behind the choir, and the very fine campanile. (See Plates 5, 6.)
The chronicler Fiamma, who lived soon after Azzo, thus describes it:
' This magnificent chapel is enclosed by lofty walls, and roofed by three vaults ;
and possesses admirable pictures in gold and azure,1 of a marvellous workman-
ship. In the principal chapel, where stands the high altar, are screens made
of metals and gems. There are portrayed sundry incidents of the life of the
Madonna; and there are some wonderful windows; nor do all the kingdoms
of the world contain a more wonderful work. The choir is wainscoted with
finely-wrought ivory, and contains two pulpits, great and high, also of ivory;
a sight stupendous to behold. Many altars are there ornamented with gold
and silk, and other things, such as cannot be fully recounted or described.'
This same Fiamma thus writes of the campanile of San Gottardo: ' At
one side of the church is built the campanile of terra-cotta, adorned from
summit to base with small marble columns, which give great delight to the
gazer.'
On this tower was placed the first clock which struck the hours in Milan,
and the contiguous Via delle Ore derived from it the name which it still bears.2
1 It is presumable that these pictures were by Giotto; d'Horlogerie) and by Dubois (Histoire de l'Horlogerie);
in fact, Vasari writes that, in 1333, Giotto was already though they agree in assigning priority of date to the
painting in Milan. clock invented in 1324 by the English Benedictine
2 The first mechanical clock was erected in Padua; Wallingford.
an opinion held also by Moinet (Nouveau Traite General
G