Oratory of Saints Cecilia and Valeriano, Bologna, Religious oratory in Bologna, Italy
The oratory is a small chapel adjacent to San Giacomo Maggiore church in Bologna that holds ten large wall paintings. These frescoes depict scenes from the lives of Saints Cecilia and Valerian in Renaissance style, with life-sized figures and decorative strips between them.
The building was constructed in 1350 and remained simple for a long time. Beginning in 1505, renowned artists including Francesco Francia and Lorenzo Costa created the ornate wall paintings under commission from the powerful Bentivoglio family.
The wall paintings show key moments in Christian faith that held meaning for worshippers. They depict the spiritual journey of both saints and how they were transformed by their beliefs.
The oratory sits on Via Zamboni in central Bologna directly next to a well-known church, making it easy to locate. You can explore it on foot and view the paintings up close from all sides of the room.
The ten paintings were never planned as a complete work but developed in different phases with various artists over several decades. This gradual creation gives the space a layered quality of artistic styles and generations.
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