San Sebastiano, Milan

The octagonal church was commissioned in 1576, after the end of a season of plague, dedicated to St Sebastian.

Perhaps the site, which had housed an earlier medieval church or sanctuary dedicated to San Quilino, dictated the shape.

Some evidence suggests that the architect Pellegrino Tibaldi designed the building with other round churches or the Pantheon as models.

He did not spare the mannerist details such as false windows on the top story, and highly decorated spandrels.

The church construction was advanced in 1586, when Tibaldi left for Spain, and supervision of the project fell to Pietro Antonio Barca, who modified the height and size of the dome.

San Sebastiano.