Oratory of Gesù Pellegrino

The Oratory of Gesù Pellegrino, also called the Oratorio dei Pretoni, is a Roman Catholic prayer hall or small church found on the corner of Via San Gallo and via degli Arazzieri in Florence, region of Tuscany, Italy.

Facade

History

Frescoed interior walls

Formerly the church of San Salvatore, it belonged to the confraternity of that name, until in 1313 the bishop Antonio d’Orso instituted a hospice for pilgrim priests. The church was later dedicated to St James, and under the sainted Archbishop Antoninus, the confraternity set up a hospice for elderly priests.

In 1585 to 1588, commissioned by Alessandro de' Medici, restructuring was directed by Giovanni Antonio Dosio. In the interior are a fresco cycle and three altarpieces with episodes from The Life of Christ (1590) by the mannerist painter Giovanni Balducci. On the counterfacade is a recently restored organ. In the nave close to the entrance is the tomb of a famous parish priest, Arlotto Mainardi (1396–1484).

Gallery of Frescoes by Giovanni Balducci

• 
  Main altar: Glory of Christ
• 
  Christ and St Thomas
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  Supper at Emmaus
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  Transfiguration
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  Magdalen and Risen Christ
• 

Sources

• Churches of Florence entry

External links

• Visit the Places of Faith in Tuscany: Search: Oratory of Gesu Pellegrino