The Oratory of San Pellegrino is located in Bominaco, a hamlet not far from Caporciano, in the province of L’Aquila. It was probably commissioned by Abbott Teodino in 1263 – as attested by the inscription on the back wall of the structure – and was dedicated to martyr Saint Peregrine. Later, Charlemagne annexed some land to the small church and donated it to the Abbey of Farfa, and some monks from there moved to the property and founded a religious community.
From the outside, you might not guess this little, evocative Romanesque style building actually has inner walls covered in wonderful frescoes, considered amongst the most representative of Medieval Gothic style, at par with the ones in the nearby church of Santa Maria ad Cryptas in Fossa. The paintings portray scenes from the life of Jesus, the Last Judgment and Saint Peregrine’s life. Art historians have concluded they were the work of three different artists.
The interior space is relatively small: the nave is only 18.7 meters long and 5.6 meters wide, and relies on the light coming in from six loopholes and two rose windows on the façades.
Today, the Oratory of San Pellegrino is considered by many one of the hidden gems at the heart of Abruzzo. It was declared a national monument in 1902.
Oratory of San Pellegrino
Via Madonna del Pozzo
Bominaco, Caporciano (AQ)
Photos via:
https://www.fondoambiente.it/luoghi/bominaco-oratorio-s-pellegrino?gfa
https://www.eccellenzedabruzzo.it/oratorio-di-san-pellegrino-a-bomanico/
https://www.virtuquotidiane.it/cronaca/tra-le-meraviglie-di-bominaco-con-pranzo-allo-zafferano.html
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:San_Pellegrino_Bominaco_1.jpg
http://www.iluoghidelsilenzio.it/oratorio-di-san-pellegrino-caporciano-aq/
The wondrous Gothic, medieval frescoes of the Oratory of San Pellegrino
