The church of Sant' Angelo in Pescheria, which is dedicated to St Michael the Archangel, was built in the ruins of the ancient Portico d'Ottavia(Porticus of Octavia). The church, which was founded in 755 and rebuilt in the 16th century, shared the space with the city's fish market (pescheria), hence its name.
Chapel of St Andrew
The church's star turn is the richly decorated Chapel of St Andrew, which belonged to the Guild of the Fishmongers. It is richly decorated in gilded stucco with frescoed panels by Innocenzo Tacconi (1575-1623), and this treatment is extended to the intrados and pilasters of the arcade arch. The panels on the ceiling vault depict events in the life of St Andrew. There are fishes on the arch intrados, including a flying fish. The panels flanking the altar depict St Francis of Assisi and St Frances of Rome.
The altarpiece depicts TheCrucifixion of St Andrew and is by Giorgio Vasari (1511-74). The painting on the right wall depicts The Vocation of St Andrew and is by Bernardino Cesari (1565-1622). The floor of the chapel is a glorious piece of opus sectile work in polychrome marble, which depicts the guild's shield.
The Oratorio di Sant' Andrea dei Pescivendoli
The Oratorio di Sant'Andrea dei Pescivendoli (Oratory of St Andrew of the Fishmongers), which stands next to the church, was consecrated in 1689 and belonged to the Università dei Pescivendoli (Guild of Fishmongers), whose patron saint was St Andrew. The entrance to the Oratory is surmounted by a very fine relief of St Andrew and his saltire (the X-shaped cross).
Bas-relief of St Andrew
The saint is looking down, somewhat quizzically, at a large fish, which appears to be trying to eat his robe. The inscription above the door reads LOCVS ORATIONIS VENDITORVM PISCIVM (The place of prayer of the sellers of fish).