This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources.Find sources: "San Giuseppe dei Teatini, Palermo" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2024) This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Church of Saint Joseph of the Theatines
Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Teatini (in Italian)
Façade from the Quattro Canti
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
ProvinceArchdiocese of Palermo
RiteRoman Rite
Location
LocationPalermo, Italy
Geographic coordinates38°06′54.76″N 13°21′41.55″E / 38.1152111°N 13.3615417°E / 38.1152111; 13.3615417
Architecture
StyleSicilian Baroque
Groundbreaking1612
Completed1677
Vault over the nave
The interior

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.

References

Categories