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Best Religious Sites in Palermo

By: Cityseeker
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Church of San Cataldo

Just next to the famous Martorana church, this typical Arab-Norman church with its three little red domes, fretwork windows, and clean bright shapes is easily noticed. The sight of San Cataldo takes one back to the period of Norman conquerors when Palermo was a melting pot of different cultures all living in peace, and Arabs were the skilled builders of the court. Set up between 1154 and 1160 CE to be the chapel of admiral Marsico’s Palace, the church is now the property of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Just go inside and be seduced with its naked and stark perfection. The magic shapes of the cube and the half-sphere join in the nave symbolizing the earth and the vault of heaven in Arab tradition, whereas the geometric white marble floors are influences of Byzantine culture.

Piazza Bellini 3, Palermo, Italy, 90133
Chiesa della Martorana

One of Palermo's oldest churches, Chiesa della Martorana was originally built in a quadrangular form based on the stile of current Byzantine churches under the reign of King Ruggero II. It underwent various modifications in the same century in which it was founded, and its embellishments included a wonderful atrium decorated with spectacular mosaics, a baptismal fountain of Greek custom and a magnificent bell tower. However, the most important and substantial intervention occurred during the Baroque era, (between the end of the 16th Century through the 17th Century), when the church was lengthened.

Piazza Bellini 3, Palermo, Italy, 90133
Church of Santa Maria del Gesù

The Church of Santa Maria del Gesù, also known as Casa Professa (Professing House), was founded in 1564 as a part of the Jesuit College complex of the same name. The church was completely transformed between 1591 and 1633, as the partition walls between the lateral chapels were demolished in order to obtain two aisles, and new chapels were built. The Renaissance-style facade, with a central niche above the entrance holding a Madonna della Grotta statue, does not completely prepare one for the grandeur of the interiors. Inside, an uninterrupted decoration of multicolored marble inlays, bas-reliefs and stuccoes by Giacomo and Procolpio Serpotta represent a fancy range of subjects: plants, animals, monsters, angels, and scenes from the Bible. This major example of Sicilian baroque art was expressely conceived to amaze and show the power of the Jesuit Order. During the World War II bombing the dome and the central vault where destroyed, and later rebuilt, but the apse preserves the original decorations. Here the three groupings of theatrical white marble sculptures by Gioacchino Vitagliano, designed by Giacomo Serpotta, representing David and Achimelech on the right, David and Abigail on the left, and the Trinity in the middle, are set against wonderful landscape backdrops of polychrome stone inlays.

Piazza Casa Professa 21, Palermo, Italy, 90134
Cattedrale di Palermo

Built around the end of the 12th Century during the Norman reign of Guglielmo II, the Cattedrale (Cathedral) is definitely one of the most important religious buildings from a historical and artistic perspective. Throughout the centuries, it underwent various additions and restorations. One of the most outstanding change is that of the Florentine architect Fuga, from the end of the 17th century, which gave the building its definite neoclassic style. Remarkable details of the exterior to admire include the 13th-century bronze door, enriched with the four symbols of the evangelists, (a lion, an angel, a bull and an eagle), the magnificent dome and the apses, a vestige of the original church. Inside, among the various and splendid chapels, it should be mentioned that some house the tombs of Norman and Suebi royalty (Ruggero II, Federico II, Costanza d'Altavilla) as well as the silver urn that contains the ashes of Saint Rosalia, the patron saint of the city.

Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Palermo, Italy, 90134
Santa Maria della Catena, Palermo

Built in the late 15th century, Chiesa di S. Maria della Catena is one of the best examples of Renaissance and Gothic-Catalan architecture the ciy has to offer. While it might not be amongst the biggest in the city, there's much to be admired about its design and features, with a number of carvings and sculptures made by famous artists of the time. Chiesa di S. Maria della Catena attracts a hoard of tourists and locals during its annual religious fair- Festa Madonna SS. della Catena; a time when followers visit the church to pay their respect to the patron saint.

Piazetta delle Dogane, Palermo, Italy, 90133
Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti

Palermo wouldn’t be the same without this typically Arabic-Norman church with its five little red domes standing against a sky which is nearly always blue. Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti (St. John of the Hermits) was built in the 12th Century at the bequest of the Norman King Roger II, who employed skilled Arabian craftsmen. It is fascinating with its precise geometry and polished shapes upon which the intense light of south plays charmingly. The light seeps through the open-work gratings of the little ogive windows (unfortunately, only one is still the original) and bestows the nude interiors with a charge of spirituality. The crux commissa (Tau or St. Anthony’s Cross) building design consists of five parts, each one changing from spherical to cubed, symbolic shapes represented in islamic culture: the earth and the vault of heaven. On the left wing of the transept stands the belfry, looking as if it were a minaret with its ogive windows framed by large triple splays. On its left side, the church is linked to an ancient building dating back to the 10th Century, where some remains of medieval paintings are preserved. One can’t miss the peaceful 12th-century cloister, with point archways and graceful twin columns.

Via dei Benedettini 3, Palermo, Italy, 90134
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