Oratorio di Santa Maria dei Bianchi
Oratory in Città della Pieve with Perugino’s Adoration of the Magi, a fresco from 1504.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
From the 13th century onwards the building was the seat of the Compagnia dei Disciplinati, also known as the Bianchi, a local religious confraternity. The original church was turned into an oratory and remodelled in 1818, probably to a design by Andrea Vici.
In 1504 the confraternity commissioned a large fresco for the back wall from Pietro Vannucci, known as Perugino, the most famous son of Città della Pieve. According to tradition, the artist asked for 200 florins but accepted 75 florins and a donkey to carry his paints and brushes from Perugia; he painted the work in 29 days. Two letters by the artist, rediscovered in 1835, are reproduced on marble plaques on the side walls.
The Adoration of the Magi is considered one of Perugino’s masterpieces: the temple-like hut frames the Holy Family and the Magi, while in the background a broad landscape inspired by the views of Lake Trasimeno accommodates the long procession. Today the oratory is open to visitors and is one of the sites on the Terre del Perugino circuit.
Highlights
- Perugino’s Adoration of the Magi (1504)
- Background landscape inspired by Lake Trasimeno
- Letters by Perugino reproduced on marble plaques
- Façade and interior remodelled in 1818
Permanent exhibition
- Adorazione dei Magi del Perugino – Fresco from 1504 on the back wall of the oratory.
Admission & discounts
| Terre del Perugino ticket (museums and cultural sites in Città della Pieve, Corciano, Magione, Paciano, Panicale and Piegaro, valid 90 days) | €12Reduced €9; free for children up to 6 and people with disabilities |
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| Trekking urbano del Perugino (Oratorio, Museo civico-diocesano di Santa Maria dei Servi and Palazzo della Corgna) | €8Reduced €5 for children aged 7 to 12; free up to age 6, for people with disabilities and for accompanying persons |
The official website does not list a single ticket for the oratory, but the combined Terre del Perugino ticket and the “trekking urbano” guided tour.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
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| Good to know | The Trekking urbano del Perugino starts from the Tourist Office: from October 2026 to March 2027, Italian-language tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 and 11:30; on 1 November and 6 January in French and German by booking. For groups of more than 10 people, other days and times can be requested by writing to prenotazioni.cultura@orologionetwork.it. |
