Certosa di Garegnano Monastery, Northwest Milan

Building works finished in 1352. The monastery received important visits, even writer Petrarca lodged inside. However, it had a complicated history due to continuous attacks.

In the 15th century, thieves ransacked the monastery and stole many artefacts. Finally in the 16th century, a band of robbers headed up by James Legorino, were defeated, and Legorino captured - he was executed, aged 30, close to the monastery, along with the Baptist Scorlino who had confessed to over 300 murders.

In the late 16th and early 17th century, the monks decided to completely renovate their monastery, constructing a new tomb. They also invested in frescoes and paintings - Simon Peterzano painted the walls around the altar with scenes depicting the life of Jesus, and produced three large paintings which currently sit behind the altar.

The monastery of Milan was abolished by Emperor Joseph II in 1782 and, as a result, fell into disrepair - the church was used to store gunpowder. The Certosa di Garegnano was subject to major restoration works during the 18th and 19th centuries.