Description
The Church of San Gaetano di Thiene, on Via dei Pispini where it meets Via dell'Oliviera in Siena, is the oratory of the Nobile Contrada del Nicchio: a Baroque church that the people of the district built at their own expense, with the contrada's museum next door.
Above the portal, in a large stucco niche, there is a Madonna and Child with Saints from the early 16th century: perhaps the old Madonna del Forcone, venerated in a shrine where the church later rose.
Inside, the furnishings and the painted decoration by Giuseppe Nicola and Apollonio Nasini form a harmonious whole. On the high altar stands the statue of Saint Cajetan, carved in Val Gardena in 1957.
Until 1683 the contrada met at the confraternity of Santo Stefano, but sharing the space was difficult. So the people of the Nicchio bought two houses, demolished them and, between 1683 and 1705, built a church all their own.
The museum next door holds antique goldsmith's work and majolica.
Above the portal, in a large stucco niche, there is a Madonna and Child with Saints from the early 16th century: perhaps the old Madonna del Forcone, venerated in a shrine where the church later rose.
Inside, the furnishings and the painted decoration by Giuseppe Nicola and Apollonio Nasini form a harmonious whole. On the high altar stands the statue of Saint Cajetan, carved in Val Gardena in 1957.
Until 1683 the contrada met at the confraternity of Santo Stefano, but sharing the space was difficult. So the people of the Nicchio bought two houses, demolished them and, between 1683 and 1705, built a church all their own.
The museum next door holds antique goldsmith's work and majolica.