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
Chiesa di Sant'Orsola (in Italian)
Façade of the church
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
ProvinceArchdiocese of Palermo
RiteRoman Rite
Location
LocationPalermo, Italy
Geographic coordinates38°06′46.75″N 13°21′46.73″E
Architecture
StyleSicilian Baroque
Completed1662

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.

References
  1. Palermo, Gaspare (1816). "Gaspare Palermo, Guida istruttiva per potersi conoscere tutte le magnificenze della Città di Palermo, Volume terzo, Palermo, Reale Stamperia, 1816, p. 122-124".
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