Tabernacle by Benozzo Gozzoli and collaboratorsPalazzo Pretorio e Casa Boccaccio
In Tuscany, in the heart of Valdelsa Valley, near the Chianti area, in the oldest church of Certaldo, presumably built at the beginning of the 13th century is the Tabernacle of the Executed by Benozzo Gozzoli and his collaborators, dating back to the mid-fifteenth century.
Tabernacle by Benozzo Gozzoli and collaboratorsPalazzo Pretorio e Casa Boccaccio
A little bit of history...
Certaldo became the seat of justice of the Elsa and Pesa Valleys in 1415, where judicial cases were discussed and the condemned were imprisoned.
Tabernacle by Benozzo Gozzoli and collaboratorsPalazzo Pretorio e Casa Boccaccio
The tabernacle takes its name from the custom of accompanying those who were to be executed.
Tabernacle by Benozzo Gozzoli and collaboratorsPalazzo Pretorio e Casa Boccaccio
The death sentence was marked by the tolling of the bells, and the condemned were brought to this chapel to be comforted spiritually before execution.
Tabernacle by Benozzo Gozzoli and collaboratorsPalazzo Pretorio e Casa Boccaccio
This spiritual comfort was given by the confraternity, the so-called Company of Justice, who took care of the condemned during their last hours, encouraging them to pray and to repent, to obtain redemption after death.
The tabernacle was originally located outside the city walls, near the River Agliena, but to better preserve it, it was removed in 1957 and transported to its current position inside the church.
The tabernacle was commissioned by the Vicar and by the Podesta of Certaldo, as shown by the coats-of-arms on the facade.
The front internal facade shows the Deposition of the Cross, featuring the motif of the double ladder and following the model adopted by Fra Angelico in the Deposition for the Strozzi Chapel in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Florence.
Tabernacle by Benozzo Gozzoli and collaboratorsPalazzo Pretorio e Casa Boccaccio
The left external wall shows a painting of the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian.
Tabernacle by Benozzo Gozzoli and collaboratorsPalazzo Pretorio e Casa Boccaccio
Back of Tabernacle by Benozzo Gozzoli and collaboratorsPalazzo Pretorio e Casa Boccaccio
On the back The Resurrection, the only and supreme moment of comfort for the condemned prisoners with its hope of eternal life.
