Descrizione
The Oratory of St. Joseph, located in the heart of the historic center of Urbino, is a fine example of Renaissance architecture erected in the sixteenth century at the behest of the Confraternity of St. Joseph. The building, with a rectangular plan and a sandstone façade, stands out for its entrance portal decorated with a tympanum and two arched windows.
Inside, the single nave of the oratory houses a rich artistic collection, including the famous Nativity scene by Federico Brandani, a terracotta work of the sixteenth century considered one of the most important nativity scenes in Italy. This nativity scene, located in the evocative Chapel of the Nativity Scene, is a real artistic wonder, where the characters of the Nativity come to life thanks to the meticulous attention to detail and the lighting effects that emphasize their realism.
Declared a national monument in 1902 and recently restored, the Oratory of St. Joseph continues to captivate visitors with its artistic beauty and the inherent magic of its Nativity depiction.
