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Church · Perúgia, Úmbria
Oratorio di San Bernardino
Small 15th-century oratory with a Renaissance façade by Agostino di Duccio, in colored marble and delicate reliefs, next to the church of San Francesco al Prato.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Oratorio di San Bernardino
The Oratorio di San Bernardino was built in the mid-15th century in honor of Saint Bernardino of Siena, a Franciscan friar who often preached in Perúgia, including in the square in front of the church of San Francesco al Prato, next to which the oratory stands.
The façade, made between 1457 and 1461, is by Agostino di Duccio. It is considered the most important work of the Renaissance in Perúgia. It uses marble and stone of various colors, and the reliefs are very shallow, in a technique called stiacciato, with angel musicians, virtues and scenes from the saint's life around a large lunette with Saint Bernardino in glory.
The interior is simple, a single nave. On the altar there is a Paleochristian sarcophagus from the 4th century, reused as an altar table and which held the remains of Blessed Giles of Assisi, companion of Saint Francis.
The square in front, the Piazza San Francesco, is an open lawn where the people of Perúgia often sit in the late afternoon.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 20 minutes.
Best time
In the late afternoon, when the sun lights the façade and the grassy square becomes lively.
How to get there
It is on the Piazza San Francesco, in the western part of the historic center. From the Piazza IV Novembre, walk down the Via dei Priori for about 10 minutes.
Tip
Entrance is free. Look closely at the façade to appreciate the delicacy of the reliefs, which barely rise from the stone surface.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Oratorio di San Bernardino
Who made the façade of the Oratorio di San Bernardino?
The Florentine sculptor Agostino di Duccio, between 1457 and 1461.
Does the oratory charge admission?
No. Check the opening hours, because it is a small church and may close for parts of the day.
How to get there on foot from the center?
Via the Via dei Priori, which descends from Piazza IV Novembre to Piazza San Francesco, in about 10 minutes.