San Francesco Saverio, Palermo
The Church of Saint Francis Xavier (Italian: Chiesa di San Francesco Saverio or simply San Francesco Saverio) is a Baroque church of Palermo. It is located in the quarter of the Albergaria, within the historic centre of Palermo. The building is considered the masterpiece of the Jesuit architect Angelo Italia.
| Church of Saint Francis Xavier | |
|---|---|
Chiesa di San Francesco Saverio (in Italian) | |
 Façade of the church | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Province | Archdiocese of Palermo |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Location | |
| Location | Palermo, Italy |
| Geographic coordinates | 38°06′33.88″N 13°21′30.74″E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Angelo Italia |
| Style | Sicilian Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1685 |
| Completed | 1710 |
| Website | |
| Official site | |
History
On 20 September 1633 the Jesuits founded their fourth house in Palermo. It was destinated to the Third Probation and dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier. This new foundation was patronised by Giovanna Aragona Ventimiglia, Marchioness of Giarratana. In 1634 the archbishop Giovanni Doria blessed the initial core of the structure.
In 1680 a new House of Jesuits was built. In 1685 the reconstruction of the church started. The project for this new monumental building was realized by the Jesuit architect Angelo Italia. Il 1710 the church was completed. On 29 November 1711 the church was consecrated by the archbishop of Mazara del Vallo Bartolomeo Castelli.[1]
References
- Gaspare Palermo, "Guida istruttiva per potersi conoscere tutte le magnificenze della Città di Palermo", Volume terzo, Palermo, Reale Stamperia, 1816, p. 100-105
