Consider the Chiesa del Gesù. It stands as one of Palermo’s most breathtaking churches. The Chiesa del Gesù is also known as Casa Professa. Jesuits first built a church on this site between 1564 and 1578.
Let’s delve into the rich history of this Baroque masterpiece. The Jesuits arrived in Palermo in 1549. By the late 16th century, they began building next to their professed house. Giovanni Tristano, a Jesuit architect, designed it.
The original design featured a single nave. It also had large transepts and side chapels. However, in the early 17th century, the building was refurbished. It became a more grandiose layout. This was typical of Jesuit architecture. Natale Masuccio removed the chapels’ dividing walls. He added two side naves to the central one. The dome of the Chiesa del Gesù was completed in 1686.
The interior also received new decorations. This started in 1658 and continued into the next century. This baroque decor included marble bas-reliefs. They depict the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi. Gioacchino Vitagliano created these. Giacomo Serpotta is credited with their designs. A fresco of the Adoration of the Magi was added. Antonino Grano painted it on the walls of the second side-chapel to the right in the 1720s. The Chiesa del Gesù also contains a relief of the Glory of St Luke by Ignazio Marabitti. Much of the interior stucco decoration was completed by Procopio Serpotta. He was the son of Giacomo.
In 1943, disaster struck during the Second World War. A bomb collapsed the church’s dome. It destroyed most of the surrounding walls. It also ruined most of the wall paintings in the chancel and transepts. These frescoes were replaced during two years’ restoration work. The Chiesa del Gesù reopened on 24 February 2009. A solemn mass was held. Paolo Romeo, the archbishop of Palermo, presided. Several Jesuits and civil and military officials attended.
The facade of the Chiesa del Gesù is divided into two sections by a cornice. The lower part has three portals. Above are niches with statues. They depict St Ignatius of Loyola, a Madonna with Child, and Francis Xavier. The upper section is divided by pilasters. It is framed on both sides with corbels and statues of saints. The facade is surmounted by a curved-segmented gable. It also has the Jesuit emblem. Masucci originally planned belfries. These were not completed. The current 18th-century campanile was built on the adjacent Palazzo Marchesi. Behind the Chiesa del Gesù, the Jesuit chapter houses a collection of rare books. This collection belongs to the Biblioteca comunale di Palermo.
The layout of the Chiesa del Gesù is in the shape of a Latin cross. The nave is 72.10 m long. It is 42.65 m wide and 70 m high. It is decorated with polychrome marbles, stucco, and frescoes. The marble reliefs are unique. They feature figural and ornamental motifs on the pillars. The marble mosaics are also special. The rebuilt structure has a double dome. It also has stained glass windows.
Pietro Novelli contributed to the Chiesa del Gesù. Vito D’Anna created a fresco depicting scenes from the life of Saint Rosalia.
The Chiesa del Gesù stands as a testament. It reflects the Jesuits’ emphasis on grandeur and religious devotion. The main portal features intricate stone carvings. These set the tone for the breathtaking interiors. The majestic dome and twin bell towers enhance the church’s silhouette. They make it a prominent feature of Palermo’s skyline.
As you leave, remember the Chiesa del Gesù. It is more than just a church. It’s a symbol of Palermo’s resilience, art, and faith.