A Shift from Mourning to Celebration: The Sanctuary of Saint Michael

The Sanctuary of Saint Michael in Galbiate, Italy, was a religious building with an unusual history. commission by Notary Francesco Spreafico, the church was planned by Milanese architect Attilio Arrigoni. Construction began in 1718, but the church, featuring an octagonal plan with a Greek cross, was never fully completed, lacking finishes, furnishings, paving, and windows. A temporary covering was added in 1752, but it may not align with the available source data, as it collapsed in 1939.

Moving on from its intended religious use, the sanctuary became a popular site for death commemoration processions. In the 18th century, the Chapel of Saint Anne, used as an ossuary, attracted many. As epidemics declined, there may have been a shift in devotion, leading to the renowned Sagra di San Michele. However, the source only mentions Queen Margherita of Savoy attending in 1883, without a clear connection to the shift from commemoration processions to festivals.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons