Monastero di Santa Caterina Nuova (1374)

This was originally the site of the Ospedale della Trinità.  This hospice was probably founded by the Blessed Tomasuccio  , who lived and worked here until his death in 1377.  The work of the hospice continued under the auspices of the Compagnia della Croce, a lay confraternity that was close to the Franciscan followers of Angelo Clareno from San Lorenzo di Rapecchiano (between Spello and Foligno).  The confraternity built the church to the left of the hospice during an epidemic of plague in 1476-7 and dedicated it to the plague saint, St Sebastian.

The complex was abandoned in the 16th century. In 1600, the Ursuline Paola da Foligno founded a nunnery here dedicated to St Ursula, at which point the church became known as the Oratorio di Madre Paola.   The congregation was suppressed in 1867. 

In 1887, the complex passed to a community of Poor Clares that came originally from Santa Caterina Vecchia (see Walk II), and the church and monastery received the current dedication.  

Chiesa di Santa Caterina Nuova

The church is in two parts:

• the public space, illustrated here; and
  

• the nuns' choir, behind the grill on the left.
  

Madonna del Riscatto (15th century ?)

This heavily repainted fresco in the right aisle was originally in the ancient parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena (see Walk I).  This church was destroyed in the earthquake of 1832 but the faithful still braved the perils of the ruined church to venerate the image each 10th July.  Bishop Nicolò Belletti decided to move it to the the Oratorio di Madre Paola in 1853. 

The fresco depicts the Madonna and Child enthroned in a Gothic tabernacle with two grieving angels clutching the columns.

Return to Walk I.