Sant'Orsola, Palermo
The Church of Saint Ursula (Italian: Chiesa di Sant'Orsola or simply Sant'Orsola) is a Baroque church of Palermo. It is located in the central Via Maqueda, in the quarter of the Albergaria, within the historic centre of Palermo.
Church of Saint Ursula | |
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Chiesa di Sant'Orsola (in Italian) | |
Façade of the church | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
Province | Archdiocese of Palermo |
Rite | Roman Rite |
Location | |
Location | Palermo, Italy |
Geographic coordinates | 38°06′46.75″N 13°21′46.73″E |
Architecture | |
Style | Sicilian Baroque |
Completed | 1662 |
History
The church was built for the "Compagnia di Sant'Orsola" (Brotherhood of Saint Ursula), a group of believers which was founded in 1564 in the neighbouring church of Santi Quaranta Martiri Pisani al Casalotto.
The church was open to the public in 1662.[1] The nave, and maybe the entire building, was designed by Giacomo Amato. In 1672 a beautification work started.[1] During this period the building was decorated with stuccos and paintings.[1] In the following century another beautification work was made. As a result of these actions, the church houses several artworks of important Sicilian artists.
Art
Paintings
Oil on canvas:
- Saint Anne and child Mary, school of Pietro Novelli
- Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, Pietro Novelli
- Madonna with Salvator Mundi, Pietro Novelli
- Jesus Christ with the Cross, Pietro Novelli
- The Probatic Pool, Antonio Manno
- Descent of Christ into Limbo, Antonio Manno
- The Deposition and the Three Marys, Giuseppe Patania
- Saint Jerome, Zoppo di Gangi
- Salvation of the Souls of Purgatory, unknown author
- Holy Family, unknown author
Frescoes:
- Assumption of the Virgin, Gaspare Serenari
- Glory of Saint Ursula, Gaspare Serenari
- Faith and Charity, Gaspare Serenari
The pillars are decorated with ovals representing the patron saints of Palermo: Lucy, Christina, Agatha, Ninfa, Olivia and Rosalia. Workshop of Pietro Novelli.
Many sculptures of the church are the work of Giacomo Serpotta.
See also
External links
- (in Italian) Image gallery
- (in Italian) History of the church - Provincia Regionale di Palermo