4130980AccessibilitaChurch and Oratory of Santa Maria dei BianchiAccessibilita1
Church and Oratory of Santa Maria dei Bianchi
The Church of Santa Maria dei Bianchi, formerly the Oratory of the Disciplinati, is located in the heart of Città della Pieve's historic center and is one of the city's three parishes.
Documents confirm that it already existed in the 13th century as the headquarters of the Confraternity of the Disciplinati, known as the “Bianchi” due to their white attire. In the Middle Ages, confraternities played an important social role; their actions were funded by bequests and donations from members and contributions from the faithful (the holes in the church's exterior wall, used to collect alms, are still visible).
Thanks to these contributions, a hospital was built next to the church to welcome pilgrims (this was especially necessary as the structure lies along Via Romea).
In 1713, it was decided to convert the old hospital into a larger church and the original church into an oratory. The interior work was completed in 1743, the façade started in 1772 and was finished around 1780. The building reflects the Rococo and Neoclassical style.
Façade of the Oratory of Santa Maria dei Bianchi
Adoration of the Magi
Detail of the Adoration of the Magi with the Madonna and Child
The interior is a large rectangular hall with vaulted ceilings; it features frescoes and paintings by the Roman painter Giovanni Miselli, responsible for the church's decoration between 1743 and 1744, the Presentation at the Temple on the main altar, and the stuccos by Stefano Cremoni. Noteworthy is the organ on the counter-facade, crafted by Claudio Carletti of Fabriano. Mention must also be made of the fresco in the sacristy, painted by Antonio Circignani and depicting the Presentation of Mary at the Temple (1606), unfortunately in poor condition.
The Oratory and the Adoration of the Magi
The oratory adjacent to the church is a simple but elegant rectangular room. In 1504, the Confraternity of the Bianchi commissioned Pietro Vannucci to create the Adoration of the Magi fresco, which covers the entire back wall. In 1835, during drainage work on the wall, a tin tube was found containing two handwritten letters from the artist!
The letters, dated 1504, were addressed to the commissioners and provide valuable details about the fresco's execution. Initially, the painter requested 200 florins, based on market rates, but later reduced the fee significantly as a “fellow townsman”.
However, the second letter reveals that the painter ultimately settled for 75 florins. He also requested transportation from Perugia for his drawings and paints, and he was given a mule.
The texts of the letters have been reproduced on marble plaques placed on the side walls of the small structure.
The Adoration of the Magi in the Oratory of the Bianchi is one of the largest and most complex works by the Umbrian master. Against the backdrop of a beautiful landscape, which occupies almost the entire upper part of the painting, knights, shepherds, and noblemen gather around the stable where the Holy Family and the three Magi are located. The painting features the gracefulness and softness typical of Perugino's style, evident not only in the landscape (very similar to the views in the surrounding area) but also in the figures, thirty of which are life-sized, with many more smaller ones, and in the inimitable brilliance and shimmer.
Useful information and accessibility
Useful information:
The facility is managed by the Confraternity of the Bianchi of Città della Pieve, and the contact details refer to them.
Email: disciplinati@libero.it
Entrance is free, with the option to make a voluntary donation. No reservation is required. A guided tour can be requested through the Info Point or by contacting the Confraternity directly. A member of the Confraternity is always present at the entrance to provide information.
How to reach the property:
The facility is located within the city walls of Città della Pieve and can be reached by car. A parking space reserved for people with disabilities, equipped with a special permit, is located 85 meters from the entrance to the Oratory. The connecting path features a slight incline, with a gradient ranging from 3% to 4%, while the parking space itself has a 4% incline. On the left side of the parking lot, there is a sidewalk leading to the entrance, though it is not fully accessible due to some obstacles narrowing the path. On the right side of the road, there is a second, narrower sidewalk.
Moving around the facility:
The sidewalk in front of the entrance has a 3% incline. Access to the facility is through a vestibule with double doors, one facing the street and the other leading into the nave. The entrance to the Oratory has a 16 cm step, and the door passage is wider than 80 cm. The facility is equipped with two removable ramps to overcome the existing level differences, which are positioned as needed by notifying one of the confraternity members. The first ramp is wooden and connects the street to the sidewalk: it is 42 cm long, 102 cm wide, and has a 16% slope. The second ramp is metal and connects the sidewalk to the Oratory entrance: it is 110 cm long, 100 cm wide, and has a 16% slope. Once installed, the distance between the wooden ramp and the metal ramp is 52 cm. The facility is on a single level, with the entrance serving as both an entry and exit.
Use of contents:
Inside Santa Maria dei Bianchi, there are panels describing the work "Adoration of the Magi" by Perugino in Italian, English, and Braille. Tactile reproductions of the artworks are available for the blind and visually impaired. Additionally, using NFC technology and a QR Code, you can access the webAPP called "Il Perugino per tutti" at the link https://trasimeno.appculture.it/. Here, the information is tailored to be accessible to a diverse audience in terms of age, sensory, and communicative needs: audio guides for adults and children in Italian and English, video guides in LIS (Italian Sign Language) and IS (International Sign) for adults and children, and finally, a description of the work in CAA (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to facilitate communication for people with learning or cognitive difficulties.
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