Parrocchia Santa Maria di Monserrato (Church of Santa Maria di Monserrato), Palermo
The Church of Santa Maria di Monserrato, located in the heart of Palermo, stands as a historic and architectural beacon in the city's vibrant landscape. Originally part of a larger villa complex built in the sixteenth century by the Duke of Bivona, Don Pietro Luna, Santa Maria di Monserrato has undergone various transformations over the centuries. Known colloquially as "delle Croci" and also as the Chapel of the Refuge or the Conservatory of the Poor of Cifuentes, the church is dedicated to "Mary of the Seven Sorrows."
The structure saw significant enhancements in 1600, when it was not only embellish but also enlarged to accommodate the viceroys passing through the area. In 1853, a major urban development, the opening of Stradone della Libertà, led to further architectural modifications. The remaining portion of the original complex was adorned with a new façade featuring pointed mullioned windows, crafted in the romantic style of the era by Giovan Battista Filippo Basile. This façade, blending Gothic and Norman-Chiaramontano-Catalan influences, features a loggia with three arches made of tuff ashlars and is topped by a bell loggia on the side façade.
Internally, the church presents a single nave accented with three altars set within chapels and wall niches. The sub-choir is notable for its cross vaults and three lowered arches that uphold a tripartite choir. Above, a barrel vault is richly decorated with frescoes depicting Our Lady of Sorrows at the foot of the Cross, surrounded by winged angels, two choirs of cherubs in monochrome, and four medallions showcasing the figures of Saint Augustine, Saint Monica, Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, and Saint Rosalia.
The structure saw significant enhancements in 1600, when it was not only embellish but also enlarged to accommodate the viceroys passing through the area. In 1853, a major urban development, the opening of Stradone della Libertà, led to further architectural modifications. The remaining portion of the original complex was adorned with a new façade featuring pointed mullioned windows, crafted in the romantic style of the era by Giovan Battista Filippo Basile. This façade, blending Gothic and Norman-Chiaramontano-Catalan influences, features a loggia with three arches made of tuff ashlars and is topped by a bell loggia on the side façade.
Internally, the church presents a single nave accented with three altars set within chapels and wall niches. The sub-choir is notable for its cross vaults and three lowered arches that uphold a tripartite choir. Above, a barrel vault is richly decorated with frescoes depicting Our Lady of Sorrows at the foot of the Cross, surrounded by winged angels, two choirs of cherubs in monochrome, and four medallions showcasing the figures of Saint Augustine, Saint Monica, Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, and Saint Rosalia.
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Parrocchia Santa Maria di Monserrato (Church of Santa Maria di Monserrato) on Map
Sight Name: Parrocchia Santa Maria di Monserrato (Church of Santa Maria di Monserrato)
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.
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
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