Church and Oratory of Santa Maria dei Bianchi
The oratory of Santa Maria dei Bianchi, in Città della Pieve, houses one of Perugino's greatest masterpieces.
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.
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.