This is how Bissone remembers one of its most illustrious children. Francesco Borromini (born under the name of Francesco Castelli) was one of the most significant representatives of Baroque architecture. His father was a humble architect serving under the Visconti family in Milan, while his mother was a descendant of the well-to-do Garove family, who were related to the famous architect Domenico Fontana from Melide. Trained as a stonemason at a young age, Francesco reached Rome in 1619, a guest of Leone Garove, a relative of his mother’s, and of the celebrated architect Carlo Maderno, thanks to whom he came into contact with Lorenzo Bernini, who was in charge of overseeing the work on St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. In that context, Borromini took part in the construction of St. Peter’s Baldachin. Afterwards, upon Bernini’s commendation, he was awarded the title of architect of Sapienza university, thanks to which he was put in charge of designing the Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane and its adjoining convent. After multiple minor commissions, he was entrusted with the construction of the church of Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza, recognised as his most prestigious creation. Many other works marked his restless professional career, often in contrast with Bernini’s ideas.

He committed suicide in 1667, at the age of 68, and was buried, in accordance with his own express wish, in the Basilica of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, in the same tomb as that of his beloved Carlo Maderno.