Descrizione
The Oratory of St. John the Baptist, a small chapel located in Via Francesco Barocci in the historic center of Urbino, is a remarkable example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Its construction, begun in 1365 and completed in 1393, was promoted by the Confraternity of St. John the Baptist.
Characterized by a simple sandstone façade and a single-nave interior with a polygonal apse, the oratory stands out above all for its frescoes, painted by famous Renaissance artists such as Lorenzo and Jacopo Salimbeni, as well as by Pietro della Francesca.
These frescoes, dated 1416, depict scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist, biblical episodes and figures of saints. The oratory, defined by the people of Urbino as “a small Sistine chapel”, was declared a national monument in 1902 and recently restored, still showing all their splendor and vibrant chromatic beauty.
Among the masterpieces on display, the Crucifixion and the Story of St. John the Baptist stand out for their extraordinary expressiveness, with precise details and a skilful use of color that leaves observers breathless.
