Beneath the Sicilian sun stands the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà. Have you noticed its Baroque facade? This church tells a story of faith art and history right here in Palermo.
Let’s step back to 1495. Francesco Abatellis a captain under King Ferdinand II of Aragon decided to use his wealth to found a Benedictine monastery. He named it Santa Maria della Pietà. Surprisingly in 1526 the nuns chose Dominican rule. They moved here from the monastery of Santa Caterina.
Construction of the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà began in 1678. Giacomo Amato a Camillian cleric designed it. He also designed Santa Teresa alla Kalsa and San Mattia ai Crociferi nearby. The exterior was done around 1699. Interior work continued. In 1723 Bishop Pietro Galletti consecrated the church. He was the brother of the monastery’s abbess.
Notice the facade’s vertical lines. Corinthian columns reach upward. Sculptural details enrich the stone. Look closely above the entrance. A statue of St Dominic stands on a globe. Gioacchino Vitagliano created this piece.
Shall we step inside Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà? A vestibule greets you. Dark Billiemi marble columns rise. Frescoes by Guglielmo Borremans painted in 1722 depict Dominican saints’ lives. Spot the drowning heretics of Toulouse. Find the Virgin appearing to St Dominic.
Above us nuns once listened to services. A metal grate allowed them to observe processions. Passageways led back to their cloistered world. Procopio Serpotta son of Giacomo created stuccoes in 1723. Niccolò Sanseverino and Antonino Romano assisted.
The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà presents a long nave leads to a semicircular apse. The main altar shines with semiprecious stones. Pietro dell’Aquila painted Return of the Prodigal Son and Encounter of Abraham and Melchisedek on the apse walls.
See the first chapel on the left? Vincenzo da Pavia’s altarpiece depicts the Pietà. Brothers Manno painted other altarpieces. Antonio Grano painted a Glory of St Catherine of Siena on the nave ceiling in 1708. He included St Dominic. Frescoes show The mystical dream of the blessed Guala de Roniis. The Virgin grants the Dominican scapular to St Dominic. Dominican nuns like Margaret of Savoy also appear.
The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà stands as a testament to Palermo’s history. It shows the dedication of its people. From Francesco Abatellis’s vision to the artists’ craftsmanship this church offers a glimpse into the city’s soul. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of artistry and devotion within these walls.