Chiesa di Saint Anne 'della Misericordia (Church of Saint Anne the Merciful), Palermo

The Church of Saint Anne the Merciful, commonly referred to as Sant'Anna, stands as a significant example of Baroque architecture in the historic center of Palermo, near the ancient Lattarini market. It is associated with the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Penance, reflecting its deep-rooted Franciscan ties.

Historically, the site was first documented in the 16th century in the "District of Mercy" (Contrada della Misericordia) document, which mentions a chapel dedicated to Our Lady Of Pity. Notably, in this chapel, the artist Tommaso de Vigilia created a fresco of the Pietà that evolved into a focal point of local veneration. In 1596, a nearby granary was repurposed as a place of worship to house this venerated icon, and the following year, the convent of Sant'Anna was established.

By the early 17th century, the existing church structure no longer met the community's liturgical demands, prompting an expansion supported by both the aristocracy and common worshippers. The design for the expansion, characterized by its late Renaissance style, was conceived by Mariano Smiriglio, a senatorial architect. Construction began on 26 October 1606 and the church was completed in 1632, officially consecrated on 13 November 1639. It was dedicated to Saint Anne, the mother of Mary, hence its name Sant'Anna la Misericordia.

Disaster struck in 1726 when the Terrasini earthquake caused significant damage to the church's façade. The reconstruction, led by architect Giovanni Biagio Amico, adhered to the Roman Baroque style. Over the centuries, the church endured further damage from numerous earthquakes.

Following the unification of Italy in 1861, both the church and the convent were seized by the state and repurposed as a granary. It wasn't until 1925 that these were partially returned to the Franciscan friars.

In contemporary times, the convent portion of Sant'Anna has been transformed into the Galleria d'Arte Moderna Sant'Anna, a museum showcasing modern art, marrying the site’s rich historical past with modern cultural expressions. This evolution highlights the adaptive reuse of religious spaces in Italy, particularly in how they serve both historical preservation and contemporary cultural needs.