Ever wondered how a church could become a library’s grand entrance? That is the story of Chiesa di Santa Maria della Grotta al Cassaro. This church stands as part of the disused religious complex of the Jesuit Order. It is located in Palermo’s historic center.
Back in 1586, the Jesuits began building their second house. It was also called Collegio Massimo. It faced the Via Regia del Cassaro, now Corso Vittorio Emanuele I. The church of San Pantaleone was nearby. The Jesuits asked to demolish it. They promised to dedicate a chapel in their new building. Construction began on October 14, 1586. Giuseppe Valeriano and Tommaso Blandino oversaw the work. Paolo Amato finished the church in 1615.
Antonino Marullo consecrated it on March 12, 1646. A painting donated by Carlo V was moved here. It had been in the old abbey of Santa Maria della Grotta.
In 1767, the Jesuit order was suppressed. All their activities stopped. But in 1800, Pope Pius VII allowed them to return. By 1804, they were back in Sicily. The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Grotta al Cassaro became a school.
In 1805, the church was restored. Sadly, a fire destroyed the painting and main altar. A copy replaced the original. In 1860, fighting damaged nearby buildings. The Jesuits were expelled from Palermo. By 1866, the church was no longer used for worship. It became an entrance to the Regional Library. In 1874, some artworks were removed.
During World War II, American bombs damaged the library. On May 9, 1943, a bomb killed many citizens nearby. After the war, the church’s interior was changed. It became the entrance and staircase to the Regional Library.
The facade of Chiesa di Santa Maria della Grotta al Cassaro faces south. It features stone carvings. Statues of Saint Peter and Paul once stood at the corners. The church had a pronaos with a choir. There were four altars on each side. Filippo Tancredi decorated the church with stuccoes and frescoes in 1704.
Paolo Amato designed the organ’s facade in 1682. Pietro Marabitti created the choir stalls. One of the organs was moved to San Giuseppe dei Teatini church in 1935.
Inside Chiesa di Santa Maria della Grotta al Cassaro, the right aisle had several chapels. The Chapel of San Luigi Gonzaga was adorned with marble. The altar came from Santo Spirito. Ignazio Marabitti created a relief for it. The Chapel of Santa Rosalia featured an altar by Paolo Amato.
The left aisle held the Chapel of Sant’Ignazio and San Francesco Saverio. There was also the Chapel of the Forty Martyrs of Brazil.
The main chapel was completed in 1701. It housed the ancient painting of Madonna della Grotta. Silver votives hung from the icon. The presbytery was decorated with polychrome marble in 1617.
Today, Chiesa di Santa Maria della Grotta al Cassaro serves as the entrance to the Sicilian Regional Library. It is a reminder of Palermo’s rich history. It is a place where religion, art, and culture intertwine.