Antonio de' Saluzzi

Antonio de' Saluzzi was a significant Roman Catholic prelate who held prominent positions in the late 14th century. He served as the Bishop of Savona from 1355 to 1376 and subsequently as the Archbishop of Milan from 1376 until his death in 1401. His tenure as Archbishop of Milan is marked by his pivotal role in initiating the construction of the iconic Milan Cathedral in 1386.

Life and Historical Context

Antonio de' Saluzzi hailed from an aristocratic family, possibly connected to the influential marquises of Saluzzo. His appointment as Bishop of Savona occurred on November 7, 1355, during the papacy of Pope Innocent VI. Later, on June 7, 1376, he was appointed Archbishop of Milan by Pope Gregory XI. His time as Archbishop coincided with a period of architectural ambition for Milan, driven by the need for a larger and more suitable space for liturgical functions and the deteriorating condition of the existing ancient metropolitan church of Santa Tecla, which was declared unsafe by 1392.

Major Contributions

The most notable achievement attributed to Antonio de' Saluzzi is his role as the initiator of the construction of the Milan Cathedral. This monumental undertaking began in 1386 and involved the collaboration of Duke Gian Galeazzo Visconti. The construction aimed to fulfill the aspirations of the Milanese people for a grander cathedral, capable of accommodating their liturgical needs, especially given the unsuitability of Santa Tecla.