Oratory of Our Lady of Castello, Savona

The Oratory of Our Lady of Castello is a historic religious site with deep roots in the city’s ecclesiastical heritage. Originally constructed behind the Cathedral of Nostra Signora di Castello, from which it takes its name, the oratory underwent significant reconstruction in 1755 following a devastating fire that destroyed much of the 16th-century structure. Over time, it became integrated into civil buildings during urban development between 1863 and 1895, giving it the appearance it has today.

The oratory follows a single-nave design, featuring a barrel vault and a semicircular presbytery, which is adorned with intricate Rococo stucco work by Giuseppe Petondi of Castel San Pietro, Switzerland.

A notable highlight of the oratory is its grand polyptych, created in 1490 by Vincenzo Foppa and Ludovico Brea, which survived the destruction of the ancient Priamar Cathedral and now stands prominently above the main altar. The altar itself, dating back to around 1920, features a silver embossed tabernacle door, adding to the richness of the space. On either side of the presbytery, two ornate loggias were decorated by Agostino Ratti, further enhancing the oratory’s artistic appeal.

One of the oratory’s most significant features is its collection of three processional chests, which are carried during Savona’s traditional Good Friday procession. These include "La Pietà", sculpted by Stefano Murialdo in 1833, "The Deposition from the Cross", a 1793 work by Filippo Martinengo, and "The Dead Christ on the Cross", an evocative mid-16th-century piece from the Roman School, donated in 1728 by the Della Rovere family.