Cimitero Monumentale - Manzoni's grave
The most memorable and striking part of the cemetery is "Il Famedio" or the Temple of Fame reserved as a resting place for those who made an important contribution to society. It is a Pantheon where the eminent and famous who have passed away can be honoured. It is impressive both for its symbolic significance and architectural importance. The structure is designed on a Greek- cross plan terminating with an octagonal cuspidate "tiburio" encircling the dome emphasizing its greater height in comparison with the surrounding buildings increased the inspirational message provoked by the ornamentation of the cemetery through recalling dissimilar styles, contrasting the colour of materials sculpted stone, rose windows, open work design, mosaics, sculptures. For the main façade Lodovico Pogliani was responsible for the mosaic lunettes representing, from left to right, the personification of Light, History recording the names of the greatest individuals and Fame.A series of small spiral columns with capitals that put in evidence the creative power of the expert and the mastery of nineteenth century craftsmen direct attention to the monumental door. On the arch is a bronze statue of Glory once again by Lodovico Pogliani (1857-1950) who was also responsible for the bronze central door of Milan's Cathedral or "Duomo"
The large space inside is striking for its solemnity which at the same time manages not to be austere characterized by vivid polychrome: the cobalt blue vault dotted with stars is in tune with the decoration of the wall frescoes coloured stripes in brick red, yellow ochre and green. The latter correspond to a precise programme of rendering honour to famous citizens who lived in different ages: the upper area remembers those who lived between the IVth century and the middle of the XVIIIth;
In the centre from1750 to 1850 and the bottom band represents the period going from 1850 up to the present time.
The wall opposite the entrance, instead, is dedicated to commemorating the deceased who were honorary citizens of the City or not from Milan: the name Giuseppe Garibaldi stands out. In the centre the large sarcophagus where Alessandro Manzoni (1785-1873) is buried can be seen. His body was moved to the Famedio immediately it was finished in 1883. On the right there is the monument to Carlo Cattaneo (1801-1869), and on the left the memorial to Luca Feltrami (1854-1933) the well known Milanese architect who was responsible for the restoration of the "Castello Sforzesco". Other sculptures honour the memory of Giuseppe Mazzini, buried in the cemetery of Staglieno in Genoa and Giuseppe Verdi buried, according to his wishes, in the rest home for musicians in piazza Buonarotti in Milan.
