Oratorio di San Giovanni Battista

The Oratory of San Giovanni Battista, built between 1365 and the end of the 14th century, is a precious treasure chest of late Gothic sacred art. Inside, there is a pictorial cycle created by brothers Lorenzo and Jacopo Salimbeni in 1416, depicting the life of St. John the Baptist, from his miraculous birth to his preaching in the desert, and culminates with the scene of the Crucifixion located inside the apse. Each fresco invites a profound spiritual journey.

The architecture of the Oratory, sober and essential, harmoniously blends into the religious context of the time, responding to the desire for a place of prayer that is both intimate and solemn. The painted scenes reflect the balance between spirituality and art that characterized Urbino under the rule of the Montefeltro family.

The paintings by the Salimbeni brothers stand out for their intense emotional charge, particularly in the Crucifixion, a masterpiece of great spiritual depth. The skillful use of colors and light creates a meditative atmosphere, while the expressions on the faces and the depiction of the bodies convey the emotion of Christ's sacrifice.

Today, the Oratory is a place of reflection and contemplation, offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in medieval spirituality and discover the religious and cultural history of Urbino, bearing witness to its influence on the evolution of art and faith.