Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
25 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
25 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
25 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
25 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Bominaco Oratory of San Pellegrino

Oratory of San Pellegrino

This medieval oratory decorated in magnificent frescos was constructed after Charlemagne received a vision.

Bominaco, Italy

Added By
Jan Claus Di Blasio
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Oratory of San Pellegrino.   Pietro/cc by-sa 3.0
Oratory of San Pellegrino.   Pietro/cc by-sa 3.0
The frescoes in the oratory.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The calendar.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The ruins of Bominaco Castle.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Bominaco is a small hamlet located about 18 miles (30 kilometers) from the regional capital of L'Aquila. It's a region that boasts an extraordinary testament to 13th-century Italian religious art. Between the hamlet and the ruins of a castle are two churches that remind visitors of the site's ancient monastic community.

The Benedictine Order, centered around the powerful Abbey of Farfa, constructed a monastery here on lands gifted by Charlemagne. Established in 1263, it's believed the oratory was built over the tomb of Saint Pellegrino of Syria. The oratory derived from a dream in which a pilgrim pleaded with Charlemagne to honor the saint. 

Inside the rather modest oratory are extraordinary works of art. Four religious-themed frescoes cover the walls. They depict the Childhood of Christ, The Passion, and the Last Judgment, as well as Saint Pelligrino. The frescoes were greatly influenced by Byzantine-Roman art. A beautifully preserved calendar complete with the lunar cycle, liturgical dates, and representations of monthly agricultural chores and the seasons also graces the walls. 

The interior of the building was divided in half by two plutei, complete with depictions of a griffin and a dragon. These helped separate the presbytery from the space designated for the congregation. Geometric patterns and stars adorn the ogival vault. 

Above the oratory, the Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta is nestled among the trees. It's among the most impressive examples of the Romanesque style in the Abruzzo region. 

Related Tags

Medieval Monasteries Art Religion Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

Upon arrival, visitors must phone the number on the gate. Normally, a custodian will open the church between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (in the winter season, closing time is 4 p.m.). A contribution for the lighting of the oratory is expected. 

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

LatiumMirabile

Edited By

jonathancarey

  • jonathancarey

Published

January 22, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Oratory of San Pellegrino
1 Via Madonella
Bominaco, 67020
Italy
42.24299, 13.660737
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Rocca Calascio

Calascio, Italy

miles away

Church of Santa Maria di Cartignano

Bussi Sul Tirino, Italy

miles away

Eremo di San Venanzio (Hermitage of San Venanzio)

Raiano, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 111

Nearby Places

Rocca Calascio

Calascio, Italy

miles away

Church of Santa Maria di Cartignano

Bussi Sul Tirino, Italy

miles away

Eremo di San Venanzio (Hermitage of San Venanzio)

Raiano, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 111

Related Places

  • The “Myrrhbearers on Christ’s Grave” at Mileševa Monastery

    Mileševo, Serbia

    ‘Beli Anđeo’ (‘White Angel’)

    After this medieval Serbian fresco was hidden for centuries, an image of it became one of the first to be sent into space.

  • The abbey entrance.

    Valence-sur-Baïse, France

    Flaran Abbey

    A treasure trove of fine art is hiding inside this small medieval abbey in Gascony.

  • Exterior of the Convento de San Diego.

    Quito, Ecuador

    Museo Franciscano del Padre Almeida

    This overlooked, beautiful convent hides an original Hieronymus Bosch among its many treasures.

  • The apocalypse scene in the central apse

    Anagni, Italy

    Cripta di San Magno

    The “Sistine Chapel” of the Middle Ages merges 11th-century science and religion in wondrous hues.

  • Ruins of Annunciation (Blagoveštenje) Monastery in Gornjak Gorge.

    Breznica, Serbia

    Monastery Blagoveštenje Gornjačko

    This outcropping was once home to a medieval monastery destroyed during the Ottoman conquest.

  • Gradac Monastery.

    Gradac, Serbia

    Gradac Monastery

    This medieval monastery represents an architectural blend of eastern and western European culture.

  • Part of the fresco.

    Beram, Croatia

    Svetište Sv. Marije na Škriljinah (The Sanctuary of St. Mary of the Rocks)

    Inside this small chapel tucked away in the forest is one of the most well-preserved Danse Macabre frescos.

  • Dale Abbey, England

    Hermits Cave at Dale Abbey

    Inspired by a dream, a hermit carved out a home in this sandstone bank to live a life of contemplation and prayer.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.