Oratory of San Lorenzo, Palermo, Italy

The Oratory of Saint Lawrence was founded in the late 16th century. The building was given to the Conventual Franciscans in order to spread the cult of the saints Francis and Lawrence. In 1699 Giacomo Serpotta realized a sumptuous stucco decoration.

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. In 2015 a hi-tech replica of the altarpiece was placed inside the oratory.

References:

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Religious sites in Italy

User Reviews

The Closet Tenor (3 months ago)
One of Palermo’s best kept artistic secrets, and notably crowd-free, compared to more famous attractions. The gem of a chapel is the flowering of Sicilian Baroque, with every available surface writhing and seething with exuberant white stucco sculptures by 17th century sculptor Giacomo Serpetta. We had the place all to ourselves, which was nice after the crush of the Palatine Chapel.

Alex D. (11 months ago)
The place is quiet and somewhat discreetly positioned on the narrow streets of Palermo, but very beautiful and well kept. It’s where I learned about stucco and got to admire an original Caravaggio. It is worth it.

Sciences Industrielles (16 months ago)
Don't go there, This is a little room with nothing for 3€

Marta Capsa (22 months ago)
Ia a very small place , but inside are very beautiful sculptures and the guide is very well informed! She made an interesting presentation!

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