![Chiesa di Sant'Agostino (Church of Saint Augustine), Palermo](/img/gd_attr/7727.jpg)
Chiesa di Sant'Agostino (Church of Saint Augustine), Palermo
The Church of Saint Augustine (Chiesa di Sant'Agostino), located in the historic center of Palermo, near the bustling Capo market, is a significant Gothic landmark within the Seralcadio quarter. Known locally also as Santa Rita, this church is revered for its devotion to Saint Rita, an Augustinian saint.
Originally constructed during the Angevin period, the Church of Saint Augustine replaced an older church that dated back to the Hauteville era. Over the centuries, the church has undergone several renovations, including a notable 18th-century transformation by the sculptor Giacomo Serpotta who introduced lavish stucco decorations within its interiors.
The architecture of the church reflects a blend of medieval styles with later baroque influences. Its facade is characterized by a striking rose window featuring the Agnus Dei and is framed by twelve small columns. The main entrance showcases the distinctive Gothic-Catalan pattern with tuff and lava stone inlays. Additionally, the southern entrance, a work by Domenico Gagini and Giuliano Mancino, exemplifies the late Gothic style with intricate plant motifs intertwined with Old Testament scenes and houses a late Roman sarcophagus.
Inside, the church was extensively redecorated in the 18th century in a baroque style. Elegant white and gold bas-reliefs and stucco statues by Giacomo Serpotta adorn the interior, depicting various saints and allegorical figures of Virtue on clouds. Significant artworks include paintings of Saint Sebastian by G. Albina and Saint Thomas by G. Salerno. The church also features a 17th-century stuccoed wooden pulpit and a finely crafted golden wooden choir.
Adjacent to the church is a 16th-century cloister, preserving some medieval architectural elements. The cloister is enhanced by a graceful fountain and a baroque sarcophagus, adding to the historical and artistic richness of the site. This cloister serves as a tranquil counterpart to the richly decorated church interior.
The Church of Saint Augustine remains a treasure trove of art and architecture, representing various periods and styles, and continues to be a pivotal spiritual and cultural site in Palermo.
Originally constructed during the Angevin period, the Church of Saint Augustine replaced an older church that dated back to the Hauteville era. Over the centuries, the church has undergone several renovations, including a notable 18th-century transformation by the sculptor Giacomo Serpotta who introduced lavish stucco decorations within its interiors.
The architecture of the church reflects a blend of medieval styles with later baroque influences. Its facade is characterized by a striking rose window featuring the Agnus Dei and is framed by twelve small columns. The main entrance showcases the distinctive Gothic-Catalan pattern with tuff and lava stone inlays. Additionally, the southern entrance, a work by Domenico Gagini and Giuliano Mancino, exemplifies the late Gothic style with intricate plant motifs intertwined with Old Testament scenes and houses a late Roman sarcophagus.
Inside, the church was extensively redecorated in the 18th century in a baroque style. Elegant white and gold bas-reliefs and stucco statues by Giacomo Serpotta adorn the interior, depicting various saints and allegorical figures of Virtue on clouds. Significant artworks include paintings of Saint Sebastian by G. Albina and Saint Thomas by G. Salerno. The church also features a 17th-century stuccoed wooden pulpit and a finely crafted golden wooden choir.
Adjacent to the church is a 16th-century cloister, preserving some medieval architectural elements. The cloister is enhanced by a graceful fountain and a baroque sarcophagus, adding to the historical and artistic richness of the site. This cloister serves as a tranquil counterpart to the richly decorated church interior.
The Church of Saint Augustine remains a treasure trove of art and architecture, representing various periods and styles, and continues to be a pivotal spiritual and cultural site in Palermo.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Palermo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Chiesa di Sant'Agostino (Church of Saint Augustine) on Map
Sight Name: Chiesa di Sant'Agostino (Church of Saint Augustine)
Sight Location: Palermo, Italy (See walking tours in Palermo)
Sight Type: Religious
Sight Location: Palermo, Italy (See walking tours in Palermo)
Sight Type: Religious
Walking Tours in Palermo, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Palermo
Creating your own self-guided walk in Palermo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Palaces of Palermo
For centuries, Sicilian capital Palermo has been a focal point for the construction of noble dwellings and palaces. The latter were and still are a fine manifestation of the historical life in the region. They are a few hundred of them still in place, ranging chronologically from the medieval period to the first decades of the 20th century, and comprising an impressive collection of architectural... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Historical Religious Buildings
Religion has always played an important role in the lives of the Italians – and the Sicilians are no exception. Thus, it is little wonder that the main city of the island, Palermo, boasts a plethora of religious buildings. The collection of historical churches found here ranges from the Arab-Norman-Byzantine to the Medieval, Gothic, Baroque and the Renaissance.
In the course of history, many... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
In the course of history, many... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Palermo Introduction Walking Tour
Around 8,000 BC, people called Sicani drew pictures in a cave outside Palermo. The scene shows a ritual sacrifice in the theatre. Was it a paleolithic foreshadowing of the temples, churches, and cathedrals to come?
The Sicani were succeeded by the Phoenicians. They made a settlement called Ziz which eventually became Palermo. But first, the Greeks, followed by the Carthaginians, followed by the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
The Sicani were succeeded by the Phoenicians. They made a settlement called Ziz which eventually became Palermo. But first, the Greeks, followed by the Carthaginians, followed by the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles