The church of Sant'Antonio abate is a church in Saronno documented since 1385. In 1576, during the plague epidemic, a lazaretto was built next to it, the shelter where the sick were isolated, and the memory of that epidemic has remained inside the building.
What to see
Three niches open in the walls. The first holds a reliquary with some bones of plague victims, together with a sculpture of Saint Anthony; the second a statue of Saint Roch, the saint invoked against the plague; the third a marble statue of Saint John. In the apse are a marble Madonna and a statue of Saint Ambrose.
The façade is decorated with a mosaic showing Saint Anthony, laid during the restoration of 1966-1967.
Visiting
Opening and service times should be checked with the parish of Saronno.
Our editors' tip
The right day to come is 17 January: every year, near the church, the old feast of Saint Anthony is held, with the blessing of the animals.
