Oratorio di Sant'Onofrio

The Oratory of Sant'Onofrio in Dicomano is a place of worship that encapsulates an extraordinary history of faith and art, deeply intertwined with the local community. Located in the northern part of the town, it has been a spiritual and social landmark for the people of Dicomano for centuries, thanks to the veneration of the Madonna dello Spedale, a symbol of the oratory and the popular devotion of Mugello. Dedicated to Saint Onuphrius, a hermit of the 4th century revered for his life of humility and penance, the oratory has medieval origins. The cult of the Madonna dello Spedale, depicted in an extraordinarily beautiful fresco, has always characterized the place. The name Sant'Onofrio and the connection with the saint emphasize the link between faith and local tradition, while the Madonna dello Spedale is revered as the protector of the community. The origins of the sacred image are shrouded in legends: one tells of the fresco arriving in the town carried by the waters of the Dicomano stream, another speaks of an apparition of the Virgin to a maiden on the stream's banks. Both stories fueled intense popular devotion, leading to the construction of a majesty and subsequently a first place of worship, already mentioned in 1480 as part of a hospice for travelers. The current oratory, designed between 1792 and 1795 by the Florentine architect Giuseppe del Rosso, is a majestic example of neoclassical architecture. The building features an imposing facade with four Ionic columns supporting a pediment adorned with statues, while the fan-shaped bell tower, with three arches and a single bell, gives a unique character to the structure. The interior, airy and bright, is decorated with stuccoes and marbles, Corinthian columns, and a two-tone checkered floor. The dome, illuminated by large windows, creates a suggestive play of lights. The hall houses valuable works of art, including the Immaculate Conception by Lorenzo Lippi (17th century) and the Miracle of Saint Francis Xavier, attributed to Giovan Camillo Ciabili or Francesco Botti. The Madonna dello Spedale, transferred to the oratory in the 19th century, is a fresco of extraordinary sweetness, depicting the Virgin with the Child. The oval face of the Madonna, gently inclined towards the Son, and the blue mantle studded with golden stars convey a sense of royalty and sacredness. The work, set in a rich Baroque wooden frame with golden rays, is considered miraculous and has been a point of reference for the faithful for centuries. This fresco, attributed to an unknown painter of the Florentine school, shows features reminiscent of Eastern artistic solutions, like those adopted by the Master of the Magdalene or the Master of Saint Agatha. The sacredness of the work has attracted devotees from all over Mugello, including Bianca Cappello, wife of Francesco de' Medici, who turned to it to ask for the grace of motherhood. Over the centuries, the Oratory of Sant'Onofrio has played an essential role as a welcoming place for travelers and pilgrims thanks to the attached hospice. The structure, initially managed by a Company of Sant'Onofrio, reached its peak in the 18th century under the supervision of the Magistrato del Bigallo. However, the suppression of religious companies decreed by Pietro Leopoldo in 1785 led to the demolition of the first building. Thanks to Pietro Dalle Pozze, a new oratory was built, which remained open for public worship. Radically restored between 1989 and 1995, today the oratory represents not only a place of faith but also a treasure trove of art and history that testifies to the devotion and culture of the community of Dicomano.

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