THE CHAPEL OF THE PLAGUE VICTIMS

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The chapel was built in 1630 in memory of the many people who died because of the plague.
The votive chapels, also called santelle, are scattered all over the historical center of Malgrate, but this is the best preserved of the remaining ones.
The little chapel houses numerous well-preserved bones, probably of those who died of the plague.
On the outside there were wall paintings with purgative souls, instruments of the passion and warning inscriptions, all of which are now barely visible.
Legend has it that the remains of a knight are preserved inside. However, this claim is not supported by historical evidence.

FUN FACT

Alessandro Manzoni, in his novel “I Promessi Sposi” (The Betrothed), dedicated one of the most intense pages to the plague epidemic that scourged Lombardy, and especially Milan, between 1630 and 1631.

SOURCES

  • Tiziana Rota “Malgrate da vivere, da conoscere da vedere”.
  • Testimonianza Romolo Bonfanti.