The Oratory of Saint Roch (Benedetto Gatti picture) was built in 1631 by the people who survived the plague of 1630 and consacreted to Saint Rocco, Patron Saint against the plague. In that time many places of worship were dedicated to this Saint. In Montemagno, the plague of 1630 caused 272 deads and left only one hundred survivors.
Then the Oratory was also dedicated to the inhabitans of Montemagno died in battle during the First and the Second World War. Their names are written in a memorial stone behind the Altar. On November 4 of each year, the Municipality of Calci lays a laurel wreath in their honour.
On the outside there are two marble stones recalling the original foundation. On the first one, it says “fundamenta comuniter fundata” which means “built by the common will of the country”; on the second one, there is the construction date “A. DOMN MCDXXXI M. IANUS Po” which means “in the year of our Lord 1631 the people of Montemagno”. M. Ianus means Mons Ianus the Montemagno ancient latin name that means Giano’s Mountain, as the place was probably dedicated to this ancient Roman deity.
The interior was frescoed with scenes from the First World War; in particular, the vaulted ceiling was painted blue with some scrolls dedicated to the patry. Subsequently the vault was covered by a new paint and today only a few old letters are visible in the places where the paint has come off due to humidity.