Oratorio di San Giorgio
On a small hill just outside Annone di Brianza, the church of San Giorgio stands apart from the town in the way Benedictine builders intended — isolated enough for silence, high enough to catch the light off the surrounding farmland. The Romanesque bell tower to the left of the apse dates to the late eleventh century, and that sense of long accumulation follows you inside.
The single nave, carried on three ogival arches from the 1479–1481 rebuilding, ends at a quadrangular apse where a fresco cycle attributed to a master of Leonardo's school covers the walls. In a carved, painted, gilded Flemish altarpiece from an Antwerp workshop — donated by the Annoni family in 1560 — Passion scenes unfold in extraordinary detail across the wood.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who make the trip on the first Sunday of the month tend to arrive early, before the 10:00 opening, to get a clear look at the Ancona della Passione without crowding. The volunteer guides from Gli Amici di San Giorgio are the ones to ask about the archaeological finds beneath the floor — the church served as burial ground until Napoleon-era laws closed it in 1813.
The story behind Oratorio di San Giorgio
The site's Benedictine origins are rooted in the late eleventh century, when the Romanesque tower was raised. Structural work between 1479 and 1481 gave the building its current late Gothic form — one nave, wooden pitched roof, chapels added in the first half of the sixteenth century. Carlo Borromeo consecrated it in 1570; five years later it became a parish church.
The Flemish altarpiece arrived in 1560, commissioned by Giovan Angelo Annoni from an Antwerp workshop. The neoclassical altar with ciborium was designed by Giuseppe Bovara in 1829. An ossuary chapel with a two-arched portico on the left exterior was added in the eighteenth century, a quiet reminder that the churchyard held burials inside and out until 1813.
Good to know
Open only on the first Sunday of each month, April through October, 10:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00; entry is free. Lecco is the nearest rail hub (lines R13, RE8, S8). Annone di Brianza is a short drive from Lecco — confirm local bus connections before relying on them.
The hill catches afternoon sun well into autumn, making the October visits particularly clear. Summer Sundays can bring thunderstorms in the afternoon, so the morning 10:00–12:00 slot is safer from May through August.
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What travellers say about Oratorio di San Giorgio
The Oratory of Saint Giorgio in Padua is a hidden gem filled with stunning 14th-century frescoes by Altichiero da Zevio. The vibrant, detailed scenes depict the lives of saints and are remarkably preserved. This small, peaceful space offers an intimate glimpse into medieval artistry, making it a must-visit for art and history lovers.
Small church near St. Anthony Cathedral with beautiful frescoes all around
Incredible fresco by Altichiero da Zevio, just remind that this chapel don't have ticket office, you can buy ticket by walking through basilica
Not at the same standard as the baptistry at the Cathedral but still an excellent selection of frescoes in the two rooms. I'm very glad I decided to stop by.
The oratory was beautiful, peaceful and well worth the visit. However the guard was extremely rude and obnoxious which ruined the experience for us!!
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