Oratorio di San Bernardino (Oratory of San Bernardino), Perugia

The Oratory of San Bernardino (Oratorio di San Bernardino) in Perugia, is a remarkable example of Renaissance art and architecture. Located on San Francesco Square, adjacent to the Basilica of San Francesco al Prato, this oratory is dedicated to Bernardino of Siena, a saint known for his frequent visits to Perugia, where he preached to the public on the lawns before the Franciscan church. Built in 1452, the oratory stands as a testament to both the saint’s influence and the artistic brilliance of its era.

The oratory's polychrome façade, crafted by Agostino di Duccio (1457–1461), is a Renaissance masterpiece in Perugia. Framed by tabernacled pillars, its central pediment and twin portals feature intricate reliefs. A lunette above the portal depicts Saint Bernardino's Ascension, surrounded by angels and cherubs in a dazzling mandorla. Statues of the Archangel Gabriel, Mary, Saint Herculaneum, and Saint Constantius occupy niches, while reliefs on the lintel and jambs narrate Saint Bernardino's life and Franciscan virtues, adorned with windswept angel musicians.

Inside, the oratory houses rich treasures of spirituality and history. Highlights include Benedetto Bonfigli's Standard of San Francesco al Prato on the right wall and a mid-4th-century Christian sarcophagus, once holding Blessed Egidio, as the high altar. The sarcophagus features carvings of Christ, the Apostles, and Old Testament scenes like Noah’s Ark. On the left wall are Fra' Angelo’s tombstone, the oratory’s founder, and Orazio Alfani’s copy of Raphael’s Deposition.

In the sacristy lies the Baldeschi Chapel, which houses the tomb of Bartolo di Sassoferrato, a prominent 14th-century jurist. This chapel enriches the oratory’s historical and cultural narrative, tying together centuries of Perugia's artistic and spiritual legacy.

The Oratory of San Bernardino is not only a monument to faith but also a profound artistic achievement, embodying the Renaissance’s spirit of innovation and devotion. It remains a must-see destination for those exploring Perugia’s historical and cultural heritage.