San Giuseppe dei Teatini, Palermo

Last updated
Church of Saint Joseph of the Theatines
Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Teatini (in Italian)
Palermo-San-Giuseppe-dei-Teatini-bjs2007-01.jpg
Façade from the Quattro Canti
Religion
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Province Archdiocese of Palermo
Rite Roman Rite
Location
Location Palermo, Italy
San Giuseppe dei Teatini, Palermo
Geographic coordinates 38°06′54.76″N13°21′41.55″E / 38.1152111°N 13.3615417°E / 38.1152111; 13.3615417
Architecture
Style Sicilian Baroque
Groundbreaking1612
Completed1677

San Giuseppe dei Teatini is a Roman Catholic church on Via Vittorio Emanuele, at the southwest corner of the Quattro Canti, in the historic center of the city of Palermo, region of Sicily, Italy. The east flank of the nave faces the Fontana Pretoria, across the piazza from Santa Caterina. San Giuseppe is an example of the Sicilian Baroque in Palermo.

History

The church was built at the beginning of the 17th century by Giacomo Besio, a Genoese member of the Theatine order. It has a majestic though simple façade. In the centre niche is housed a statue of San Gaetano, founder of the order. Another striking feature is the large dome with a blue and yellow majolica covering. The tambour decorated with double columns, and was designed by Giuseppe Mariani. The belfry tower was designed by Paolo Amato.

The interior has a Latin cross plan with a nave and two aisles, divided by marble columns of variable height. The inner decoration is a nearly overwhelming parade of Baroque art, with stuccoes by Paolo Corso and Giuseppe Serpotta. Frescoes decorate the nave ceiling and the transept vault, painted by Filippo Tancredi, Guglielmo Borremans and Giuseppe Velasquez. The frescoes were severely damaged during World War II, but have been accurately restored. The most important piece of art is however a wood crucifix by Fra' Umile of Petralia.

The crypt houses remains of a former church, dedicated to Madonna of Providence.

Main Nave of the Church of San Giuseppe dei Padri Teatini.jpg
Main nave
Side of Interior of Church of San Giuseppe dei Padri Teatini.jpg
Side of nave
Dome Interior of the Church of San Giuseppe dei Padri Teatini.jpg
Dome interior
Column Bases inside the Church of San Giuseppe dei Padri Teatini.jpg
Column bases
Madonna di Trapani (Gagini).jpg
Madonna di Trapani (Antonello Gagini)
Remains of the Former Church below San Giuseppe dei Teatini.jpg
Former church below
Vault over nave Sicilia Palermo4 tango7174.jpg
Vault over nave

References