Located at the foot of the Fortunago hill, the Oratory of St Anthony of Padua is a historic building that has gone through centuries of transformations. Originally dedicated to Saint Roch, this place of worship has undergone numerous restorations, reflecting the devotion of the local community and its resilience in preserving a precious architectural and spiritual heritage.
The Oratory of Sant‘Antonio in Fortunago is a historical jewel that recounts centuries of faith and architecture, with roots going back to 1599, when the structure was originally dedicated to San Rocco. Located at the foot of the hill that hosts the village of Fortunago, the Oratory has seen several transformations over the centuries, reflecting the devotion of the local community and the evolution of religious practices.
In 1653, during a visit by the bishop of Piacenza, the building was first mentioned as being dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. This suggests that the original chapel, dedicated to St. Charles and mentioned in documents dating back to 1617, was probably transformed into the current Oratory, which has a single nave divided into two bays by half-pillars, with a barrel vault that gives the room a solemn and cosy character.
Over the course of time, the Oratory underwent various changes and renovations. As early as 1688, a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows was added on the east side, using part of the bell tower as a sacristy. These interventions are documented in a survey from 1752, which testifies to the importance of the building in the religious life of the village.
The 20th century brought new challenges. In 1982, the painting of St. Anthony of Padua was restored, a work of great emotional value to the community, despite its modest artistic quality. In the 1970s and 1990s, more invasive interventions were necessary due to structural damage caused by humidity and the wear and tear of time, with sometimes controversial results. The solutions adopted to eliminate humidity, such as the removal of the original plasterwork, altered the building‘s interior appearance, exposing materials that were not suitable for viewing.
Fortunately, the restoration begun in 2009 has restored the Oratory to its historical dignity. Structural work was carried out to stabilise the building and definitively resolve the problem of capillary humidity. Inside, special attention was paid to the conservative restoration of the plastic decorations of the high altar, bringing back the original beauty of the bas-reliefs and stucco angels from the 18th century.
Today, the Oratory of Sant‘Antonio represents not only a place of worship, but also a symbol of the resilience and care of the Fortunago community for its historical and spiritual heritage. Its walls tell stories of devotion, transformation and rebirth, and continue to be a point of reference for the faithful and those interested in history and architecture.
