Church of Jesus, Perugia

The Church of Jesus in Perugia, located in the Porta Sole district at Piazza Matteotti, is a fascinating monument blending history, art, and societal dynamics. Built on the site of two earlier churches, Sant’Andrea, and the Compagnia del San Salvatore, its construction began in 1562 under Cardinal Fulvio della Corgna. Designed by Jesuit architect Giovanni Tristano, the church was expanded by Valentino Martelli and completed in 1620, with its upper façade finished in 1938 by Edoardo Vignaroli.

This Baroque gem boasts a richly adorned interior with three naves, gilded altars, and Corinthian columns. Highlights include Michele Desubleo's Circumcision of Jesus, 17th-century canvases by Stefano Amadei, and Bartolomeo Tronchi's bronze Crucifix. Frescoes by Giovanni Andrea Carlone grace the presbytery vault, while a modern altar by Artemio Giovagnoni blends harmoniously with the historic decor.

The church also holds a complex historical legacy. Following the suppression of the Jesuit order in 1775, the church’s art and treasures were dispersed, with some pieces relocated to Rome. Under Napoleonic rule and later the Italian unification, the church’s assets were nationalized, though its management remained with the Barnabites until 2020. Today, it is overseen by the Archdiocese of Perugia-Città della Pieve.

Beneath the apse are three hierarchically arranged oratories built into the Etruscan wall, reflecting Jesuit-era social stratification. The Oratory of the Nobles, at the top, was for the elite; the Oratory of Artists and Merchants, below, served city residents; and the Oratory of Peasants, at the lowest level, was for those outside the city. Though now closed to the public, they reveal the Jesuits' impact on culture and society during the Counter-Reformation.

The Church of Jesus combines architectural ingenuity with artistic splendor. From its extraordinary 16th-century lacunar ceiling-rebuilt after a 1989 fire-to Pietro da Cortona’s Nativity of Mary and Andrea Pozzo’s frescoes in the sacristy, it reflects centuries of evolving religious and artistic heritage. The structure's adaptation over time, from a Jesuit stronghold to a diocesan-managed landmark, encapsulates the layers of history that make it one of Perugia’s most enigmatic and secretive sites.