Location: Palermo
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What to do and see in Palermo, Sicily: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites
Palermo is an urban melting pot characterized by history and culture so diverse that it often feels conflicted. Discover an intriguing range of architectural styles, from Arabian domes to baroque buildings, and enjoy delicious cuisine that spans a variety of origins. Be sure to visit the Palace of the Normans, the Palatine Chapel and the church of St. John of the Hermits. Art and music lovers won’t want to miss the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (the “GAM”), the Salinas or an opera or ballet at the Teatro Massimo.
Restaurants in Palermo
1. Chiesa di San Domenico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 352 reviews
This baroque church, built in 1640, is noted for its bell-tower decorated with Maiolica ceramic tiles from Caltagirone.
Reviewed By 873AmyB873 - London, United Kingdom
This church in a small square is simply stunning to look at. It’s also got the tomb of one of the anti-Mafia judges who was assassination by the mob, which is very interesting and also moving.
2. Oratorio di Santa Cita
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 676 reviews
Reviewed By conrad57 - Ieper (Ypres), Belgium
A must see in Palermo. Religious baroc architecture, overwhelming beauty of religious / historical sculptures and baby figures. Take a brocure or a guide to read and know more details about the figures and art, it will for sure make your visit more interesting and detailed
3. San Giuseppe dei Teatini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 610 reviews
Reviewed By AlexSwallow - Sheffield, United Kingdom
Palermo has lots of stunning churches, but of the ones I saw this is the standout for both architecture and atmosphere. Really worth a visit.
4. Church of Saint Augustine - Chiesa di Sant'Agostino
5. Chiesa di San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi
6. Church of San Francesco of Assisi -Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi
7. Oratorio di San Lorenzo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 583 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This is a tiny but stunning chapel to the left of St Francis’ church. I might have overlooked it but I was intrigued by the story of the stolen Carravaggio painting that was taken from the altar of the small chapel one night in 1969. Listed on the FBI’s list Top 10 Art Crimes, the nativity scene is the most valuable still-missing work of art in the world. Who stole it remains a mystery and it’s never been recovered. To add to the poignancy, it was one of the last paintings Carravaggio did. A year after completing it, he had died in unknown circumstances at just 38 years old. A life-size copy hangs in its place instead. Although it was the art-heist story that drew me in initially, the oratory really was very beautiful. Splashes of gold around the altar highlight the pure white of the rest of the oratory. The interior is entirely covered with snowy white stucco ‘putti’ (cherubs) and scenes from the lives of St Frances and St Lawrence. I’ve heard it called the cave of white coral. It really does look a lot like that. It is only small (just the one room) but the decoration is so detailed that we spent some time there. The cherubs are a playful tangle of chubby limbs and baby wings and are just gorgeous. It struck me that it would be impossible to concentrate on prayer and not be distracted by these fanciful, lively creatures. Other details include the exquisitely detailed mahogany pews, patterned with mother-of-pearl and ivory and the gruesome scene of St Lawrence who was painfully and slowly martyred by being tied to an iron grill over a fire of coals. In a brilliant display of bravado, he is supposed to have said before dying, “I am well done. Turn me over”. TIP - the ‘Circuito del Sacro’ ticket gives you a discount off the entry price for this and a dozen or so other churches. Just ask for it at the first church you visit.
8. Chiesa di Santa Maria dello Spasimo
9. Chiesa Santa Maria della Pieta'
10. Chiesa di Santa Chiara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
the monumental complex of Saint Chiara, a baroque church (1678), a keystone for the activity of the Salesian Fathers. Inside the complex of the “Santa Chiara”, the association founded in 1995 by the Salesians and members of the Santa Chiara charity, carries out its activities. Built as a cloistered monastery in the XIV century, it has been re-adapted through the centuries, but it still maintains fascinating historical and artistic traces, such as a large piece of Phoenician wall, dating back to the V and VI century B.C., inside the Salesian theatre. These traces are another sign of the multi-layered structure of the ancient Panormus. During the itinerary you may meet the Santa Chiara children, the real protagonists of the journey, and volunteers; you will discover a taste of unrivaled beauty and the uniqueness of the historical and artistic heritage, and, most importantly, values of humanity and the conservation of monuments, walking from place to place.
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