The Convent of Villanova

The Convent of the Store Preziosine in Villanova is located in the southeastern part of the town of Barzanò, within an architectural complex that was once a noble villa of the Resta family. In the 17th century, this family owned a villa here, which was intended for leisure, much like many other noble families who chose the Brianza region as a place of recreation, closely tied to its agricultural income potential. Transferred to the Giulini family in 1729, the property then passed to the Oblati Missionaries of Rho in 1831 and from them to the congregation of the Sisters of Preziosissimo Sangue, who still have their headquarters here today. The convent preserves the 17th-century church, once an integral part of the noble complex of the Resta family which cured the remodelling to enlarge it and allow the local population to participate in religious services without having to travel to reach the parish church of the town, which was too far away given the living conditions of the time.The oratory dedicated to the Madonna Assunta faces the road that runs through the small village with a simple gabled façade. The interior, with a single nave, was likely renovated, probably in the mid-20th century, with the addition of a small side chapel to the right. The altar is placed against the wall, framing the large altarpiece, a canvas probably from the 18th century, depicting the Madonna Immacolata. She is shown surrounded by angels, with 12 stars around her head, and she is crushing a serpent underfoot, symbolising evil. A rectangular hall, used as a left side chapel, has been connected to the presbytery area after the demolition of the wall that once delimited the church.