Churches in Sicily
Church of SS Salvatore (Chiesa del Santissimo Salvatore)
Putti mourning the death of Christ in the Church of SS Salvatore, Palermo. The walls of the church are richly decorated with Sicilian polychrome marbles by the master Salvatore Allegra and, above, the dome ceiling is decorated with the stuccoes by the master Francesco Alaimo.
The Church of the Most Holy Saviour (Italian: Chiesa del Santissimo Salvatore aka SS Salvatore, in English also called The church of San Salvatore) was built on the site of a Basilian monastery and Norman church which was possibly built on the site of a mosque.
The present building is the result of a major restoration, utilizing when possible the remnants of the former decoration.
Timeline: Church of SS. Salvatore, Palermo
1071/1072 — Foundation
The church and adjacent Basilian monastery dedicated to the Saviour were founded by Robert Guiscard in Norman times.
Tradition holds that Queen Constance of Hauteville, the last heir of the Norman dynasty and future mother of Emperor Frederick II, was abbess of the convent.
According to tradition, Santa Rosalia also belonged to this monastic community.
A bilingual inscription in Greek and Latin recalls the discovery of a holy book in the church.
1501 — Conversion
The monastery was converted to the Latin Rite.
1528 — Rebuilding
The ancient Norman church was rebuilt on a larger scale, with a basilica plan of three naves, three chapels on each side, and two additional chapels at the ends.
1682 — Present Layout
The current design was created by Paolo Amato, with assistance from Jesuit Angelo Italia.
1700 — Inauguration
The new church was formally inaugurated.
1704 — Consecration
The church was consecrated.
1705 — Fresco by Filippo Tancredi
In the dome of the former main altar, Filippo Tancredi painted the fresco Mystic Lamb.
1725 — Painting by Cedri
Cedri painted the canvas Coronation of Santa Rosalia for the altar.
1726 — Earthquake Damage
The earthquake of Terrasini caused extensive damage, including the loss of the main altar designed by Giacomo Amato and Gaetano Lazzara.
1763 — Dome Reinforcement and Frescoes
The dome was reinforced under Vincenzo Giovenco.
At the same time, Vito D’Anna painted frescoes including:
Apotheosis (Glory) of St. Basilio in the dome
Preaching of St. Basilio (right wall of entrance hall)
Healing of the Sick Child (left wall of entrance hall)
Allegories of the virtues Fortitude, Prudence, Temperance, and Justice in the vestibule vault
Verified
18th century — Marble Group
A marble group depicting the Crucifixion with Magdalene, St. Michael, and St. Cajetan was added to the apse.
(No date documented)
1943 — Bombardment
Allied bombing during the Second World War devastated the interior, causing partial collapse of the dome and destruction of many paintings and altars.
1959 — Auditorium Conversion
The church was restored and adapted as an auditorium by architect Franco Minissi. The main altar was moved to the right. The longitudinal axis was adjusted to improve acoustics.
Inside there are three chapels, the largest one is dominated by a small dome frescoed by Filippo Tancredi. The frescoes on the walls of the entrance staircase depict the Miracle of the Healing of the Child by St Basil and St Basil preaching painted by Vito D'Anna.
The canvas that overlooks the present presbytery area depicts the Coronation of Santa Rosalia (1725) by Cedri, formerly housed in the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Rosalia, which was razed in the 20th-century to expand Via Roma.
In the apse of the church of San Salvatore is a large marble group representing the Crucified Christ between the Archangel Michael, San Gaetano and Santa Maria Maddalena.
Churches in Palermo
Chiesa dell'Immacolata Concezione
The Belltower
The stairs leading up to the belltower.
Palermo Cathedral. There is a breathtaking view from the campanile.
Churches in Palermo
Chiesa dell'Immacolata Concezione
