I MONASTERI FEMMINILI DI MILANO NELLA TOPOGRAFIA LITURGICA: CONTESTI ARCHITETTONICI E FIGURATIVI TRA VII E XIII SECOLO

The research focuses on architectural and figurative aspects of female monasteries in Milan since their foundation in the 7th century until the 13th century. Considering the lack of historiographical studies on female communities in Northern Italy, the aim of the dissertation is also to determine the role of the seven Benedictine monasteries in the liturgical topography of the city. The first part of the research is dedicated to some fundamental aspects related to the nuns’ reality. Starting from the ‘clausura’ in the Cesario Arleatensis’ rule, through the different ecclesiae or oratoria existing in a female monastery, until the concept of Kirchenfamilie. Parallel to this, I have presented an interesting case of a city (Metz) with its female monasteries, in order to develop some aspects useful to understand the Milanese reality. The second part of the dissertation is entirely dedicated to Milan. After an historical survey to contextualize the different cases, a series of ‘monographic’ chapters are entitled to the female communities: San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, Santa Maria di Aurona, Santa Radegonda, Santa Maria del Lentasio, Monasterium Novum/San Vincenzino, Sant’Uldarico al Bocchetto e Santa Margherita.