Oratorio dei Vanchetoni, Roman Catholic oratory in central Florence, Italy
The Oratorio dei Vanchetoni is a church building in central Florence featuring a main hall decorated with frescoes painted between 1633 and 1649 by numerous Italian artists. The interior walls showcase religious and figurative scenes that cover much of the available surface.
Matteo Nigetti designed this building in 1602 on land that formerly belonged to the Church of Ognissanti. The interior frescoes were added roughly three decades later, reflecting the artistic trends of the 1600s.
The congregation that founded this oratory moved through Florence in silent processions while fulfilling religious and educational missions. This contemplative practice shaped how the space was used and understood by the community.
Today it functions as a venue for chamber concerts and small cultural gatherings, so it may have limited access depending on events. The interior space is modest and allows for close viewing of the decorative details on the walls.
Members of the congregation engaged in self-flagellation practices using batons, which earned them the local nickname 'bacchettoni.' This penitential practice was integral to their religious observance and discipline.
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