The Church of “Buona Morte” Churches

The Compagnia di Orazione e Morte (Company of Oration and Death) or Compagnia della buona morte (Company of the Good Death) was established in 1572 for the purpose of organizing a service of prayer, transport, and burial of the deceased.

Moreover, its members aided those who had been sentenced to death and interred individuals who had not left sufficient funds for their burial.

The members of the Company selected the ruins of the church of St. Sylvester, which had been documented since the 13th century, as their headquarters and proceeded to rebuild it under the title of Santa Croce (Holy Cross).

The interior, comprising a single nave, features a wooden coffered ceiling, within which is a high relief carved and painted in 1618. This is thought to be the work of Niccolò di Smeraldo Salvi and is likely to be the same artist responsible for the wooden statue of Christ tied to the column.

The relief depicts a series of symbols associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. At the center of the composition, Christ is shown being supported by two angels.

The lateral walls of the edifice depict a series of episodes pertaining to the Passion of Christ. Additionally, Niccolò di Smeraldo Salvi is attributed with the wooden statue of Christ bound to the column.

The rooms above house a collection of objects belonging to the Confraternita di Misericordia (Brotherhood of Mercy).

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