Santa Maria della Catena

Palermo, Italy

Santa Maria della Catena church was built in 1490-1520 and designed by Matteo Carnilivari. The name derives from the presence, on one of the walls, of a chain (catena) which closed the Cala port.

The work mixes late Renaissance style and Gothic-Catalan style, the latter especially visible in the three-part arcaded loggia located at the top of a staircase (added in 1845). The interior is also late Gothic, and includes a canvas of Nativity with Adoration of the Shepherds (17th century) by an unknown master, and 16th-century bas-reliefs attributed to Vincenzo and Antonello Gagini, who also sculpted the capitals of the columns and the entrance portals.

Annexed to the church is a 1602 convent house, which, starting from 1844, has been the seat of the State Archive.

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Details

Founded: 1490-1520
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Spencer Olson (12 months ago)
€2.50 entrance fee per person goes to the restoration effort.
Francine Laura (2 years ago)
If you are down at the Cala, this is an interesting all the church to see. It is called St Mary of the Chains because during medieval times there was literally a chain attached to the church which closed the gates to the city port.
Zoharon (3 years ago)
Very nice
Alessandro Cutelli (3 years ago)
Late medieval church dedicated to the Madonna della Catena and located near the port. Here, in fact, there was a long chain that was stretched up to the "Castello a mare" with the aim of protecting the entrance to the commercial port of the city. The external aspect reveals a Renaissance style with some Norman influences in the use of the lowered arches of the gallery, while the internal structure recalls, in the use of the ribbed cross vaults, the Italian late-Gothic tradition. Do not miss the fresco located in the second side chapel on the right, depicting the nursing Virgin, known as the Madonna delle Grazie, and dating back to the 14th century. A.D. On the sides of the Marian fresco there are testimonies of paintings dating back to the post-Tridentine period, which had covered the original fresco due to the nakedness of the Virgin's breast. Access to the church, outside of religious ceremonies, is via the purchase of a ticket of only € 2.5, with a possible discount if you have already visited the churches of the Palermo circuit.
Adriana Anello (4 years ago)
Married in this church .. the most beautiful church in Palermo for me .. I have always wanted for my wedding a church with a large and high staircase and this is fantastic .. the place where it is located is beautiful .. di facing the Cala .. 5 stars definitely sicuramente
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