Cappella del Manto

The Cappella del Manto (Chapel of the Mantle) is one of the most frequently altered spaces in the long history of Santa Maria della Scala. Originally part of the hospital’s earliest core, it was a three-arched portico mentioned in a 1248 document. In the 13th century, it was repurposed for civil and administrative functions and became the meeting place of the friars' chapter. Between the late 13th and early 14th centuries, the space underwent a sacred transformation with the addition of religious decorations and a ribbed vaulted ceiling. A significant change occurred in 1359 when the space was adapted to house the sacred relics acquired from Constantinople, including the construction of a wooden choir. In the 15th century, after the relics were moved elsewhere, the chapel became known as the Cappella del Manto, thanks to the fresco Madonna del Manto by Domenico di Bartolo. In 1610, the fresco was moved to the Old Sacristy (Sagrestia Vecchia). During the 16th century, the chapel was further renovated, with the vault decorated by Domenico di Pace and the addition of a nativity scene. In the 1990s, the chapel — which had been used for years as the hospital’s emergency room — suffered damage to its painted decorations. A restoration project later recovered many of the decorative details and helped restore the chapel’s original charm.

The space is available for rental:
Capacity: up to 90 seats
Suitable for: presentations and concerts
Any necessary setup must be arranged with the Management and is the responsibility of the organizer
Services: WiFi

For information:
📧 convegnistica@santamariadellascala.com
📞 +39 0577 534504