Dedicated to the Virgin and the warrior saint San Maurizio the Oratorio del Paladino stands as a testament to faith and history. Let me tell you a story of this place.
The Oratorio del Paladino was once a crucial outpost. It shielded the country from the south. Cascina Castello was nearby. This was a fort protecting the area’s farms. The name Paladino appeared in 1186. It was in a diploma from Federico Barbarossa. It was separate from Rivolta.
Diego Sant’Ambrogio believes the church dates back to the mid-15th century. It features a pronaos at the entrance. Inside the Oratorio del Paladino is a single nave. Its walls once held frescoes. Sadly these are largely ruined now.
Inside the Oratorio del Paladino you would have seen two paintings. They dated to the 17th and 18th centuries. One showed San Maurizio on horseback. The other depicted Sant’Antonio da Padova. Both featured the coat of arms of the Milanese Settala nobles. These paintings are now lost. The most famous treasure was Bongiovanni De Lupi’s altarpiece. It is now in Cremona’s Museo Diocesano.
Frescoes from the 17th and 18th centuries once adorned the church. These are now badly damaged. One depicted the mouth of hell. Inside its wide jaws were the damned. They were being swept into the fiery throat. Another old feature is the large crucifix. It hangs behind the altar. Today the Oratorio del Paladino also contains four newer statues.
Near the Oratorio del Paladino lies the Merlò spring area. This area is important for nature. You can see local plants and animals here. It is a typical Lombardy plain environment.
Imagine the Oratorio del Paladino in its prime. It would be a vibrant center of faith. Its art would inspire and its location provide safety. Though time has passed its spirit remains. It is free to visit the Oratorio del Paladino.