Chiesa della Madonna della Luce (Church of the Madonna della Luce), Perugia

The Church of the Madonna della Luce is a striking Renaissance religious building situated on Priors Street (Via dei Priori) in Perugia, an area rich in historical significance. This church occupies a site along the axis of the ancient Perugian decumanus, later transformed into the Royal Road (Via Regale) during the Middle Ages, serving as a key route toward Lake Trasimeno and Cortona. The church forms part of an architectural complex that includes the Church of San Luca and the Commandery of the Knights of Malta, located near San Francesco al Prato.

Constructed between 1513 and 1519, the church’s design is attributed to Perugian architects Cesarino del Roscetto and Giulio Danti. The elegant travertine façade features a Renaissance tympanum supported by composite-capital pillars adorned with carved griffins, symbolic of the Municipality of Perugia’s financial contribution. The façade also boasts a small splayed rose window and a portal crowned by a lunette. A humanistic inscription on the cornice marks the church’s consecration in 1519.

The church was built to house a miraculous image of the Virgin, originally located in the street and believed to have closed its eyes in a prodigious event in 1512, sparking widespread devotion. Renamed the Madonna della Luce, the image was transferred to the newly constructed church in 1513, commemorating the miracle. The frescoed interior features works by renowned artists: a niche above the altar holds a depiction of the Madonna and Saints by Tiberio d’Assisi, while the dome was adorned with frescoes by Giovanni Battista Caporali in 1532, illustrating the Eternal Father and the Evangelists.

Today, the Church of the Madonna della Luce continues its spiritual role, hosting daily Eucharistic adoration from 8 AM to 7 PM (excluding August). Its historical and artistic legacy, along with its serene atmosphere, make it a treasured landmark in Perugia, blending devotion and artistry in one elegant structure.