Oratory of San Lorenzo, Palermo

The Oratory of Saint Lawrence (Italian: Oratorio di San Lorenzo) is a Baroque oratory of Palermo. It is located near the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, in the quarter of the Kalsa, within the historic centre of Palermo.[1]

Oratory of Saint Lawrence
Oratorio di San Lorenzo (in Italian)
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
ProvinceArchdiocese of Palermo
RiteRoman Rite
Location
LocationPalermo, Italy
Geographic coordinates38°07′00.07″N 13°21′59.15″E
Architecture
StyleSicilian Baroque
Groundbreaking1570 c.

The oratory was built in 1569 to replace a former smaller church dedicated to St Lawrence. Construction was funded by a confraternity of mainly Genovese merchants, and linked to Conventual Franciscans. In 1699-1706, Giacomo Serpotta realized a sumptuous stucco decoration, depicting the life of St Francis.[2]

The oratory is particularly famous because of the masterpiece altarpiece Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence (1600 or 1609) by Caravaggio. This important painting was stolen, probably by Cosa Nostra, on October 18, 1969. It has never been recovered. In 2015 a hi-tech replica of the altarpiece was placed inside the oratory.[3]

Caravaggio, Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence
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References
  1. "The Oratory of San Lorenzo | www.palermoviva.it".
  2. Amici Museii Siciliani.
  3. Restitution of a lost beauty': Caravaggio Nativity replica brought to Palermo - The Guardian, 10 December 2015


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