San Giovanni di Dio (1584)

This church and adjacent hospital are named for St John of God.

[St John of God (1495-1550) was born in Portugal but lived mostly in Spain, where he founded a small community that was dedicated to the care of the sick and the poor.   His followers were constituted as an order of hospitallers after his death.  They financed their operations largely by voluntary donations, and were known colloquially as the Fatebenefratelli from their plea for alms from passers-by: “fate bene fratelli” or “do good brothers”.  St John of God was canonised in 1690.]

Bishop Vincenzo Ercolani called the Fatebenefratelli to Perugia in 1584, and they built this church and the adjacent monastery.  Pietro Soriano, the first Minister General of the Order was buried in the church in 1588.  The church acquired a dedication to St Nicholas in 1628, when the parish of San Nicolò was suppressed. 

The hospital behind the church was opened with a procession of the brothers and their first patients in 1585.  It became known as the Ospedale di San Nicolò degli Incurabili because it specialised for a period in the treatment (such as it was) of syphilis.  The building continued in use as a hospital until 1996.  The entrance at number 4 Via Fatebenefratelli still bears the name of the San Nicolò degli Incurabili, although the sign beside it indicates that the premises now house a hall of residence for students from the University of Perugia.


Return the Detour II of Walk VII.