San Marco's oratory, Byzantine oratory in Rossano, Italy.
San Marco's oratory is a Byzantine place of worship in Rossano featuring a square layout based on a Greek cross design. Five cylindrical domes rise above the main structure, creating its distinctive silhouette.
The oratory's origins trace back to the tenth century when Saint Nilus the Younger established it as a retreat for hermit monks. The structure later underwent different uses over time and remains a significant example of Byzantine building practices.
The building displays Byzantine artistic traditions through surviving frescoes that were revealed during early 20th-century restoration work. These paintings offer insight into the religious art practice that shaped this structure over time.
The oratory sits on a tuff formation at the southeastern edge of Rossano's center and is visible from several vantage points. Its elevated position offers good views across the surrounding town area.
In the nineteenth century, the oratory became a burial ground for cholera victims, with numerous graves dug inside the building. This somber chapter is no longer visible today but remains part of the site's complete story.
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