San Giorgio dei Genovesi, Palermo

The Church of Saint George of the Genoese (Italian: Chiesa di San Giorgio dei Genovesi or simply San Giorgio dei Genovesi) is a Renaissance church of Palermo. It is located near the port of La Cala, in the quarter of the Loggia, within the historic centre of Palermo.

Church of Saint George of the Genoese
Chiesa di San Giorgio dei Genovesi (in Italian)
Façade of the church
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
ProvinceArchdiocese of Palermo
RiteRoman Rite
Location
LocationPalermo, Italy
Geographic coordinates38°07′18.56″N 13°21′52.47″E
Architecture
Architect(s)Giorgio Di Faccio
StyleRenaissance
Groundbreaking1576
Completed1596
The dome

History

Before the construction of this church the Genoese community of Palermo celebrated its religious services in a chapel located in the complex of San Francesco d'Assisi.[1] In 1576 the Genoeses bought the little church of San Luca and the surrounding land, located near the port. They demolished the old church and planned the construction of a new temple dedicated to their patron, Saint George.[1]

The architectural project was produced by Giorgio Di Faccio[2] with the assistance of Battista Carabbio. The construction of the church was the result of the new financial balance of power of the city. In fact, the Genoeses overtook the Pisans in the context of banking in the Kingdom of Sicily. Many rich Genoese families contributed to the construction. The church was completed in 1596.

The church hosts the burial of the famous female painter Sofonisba Anguissola.[3]

Art

Paintings

Oil on canvas:

  • Annunciation, Luca Giordano
  • Our Lady of the Rosary and Saints, Luca Giordano
  • Baptism of Jesus, Palma il Giovane
  • Martyrdom of Saint George, Palma il Giovane
  • Ecstasy of Saint Francis of Assisi, Gerardo Astorino
  • Stoning of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, Bernardo Castello
  • Martyrdom of Saint Vincent of Saragossa, Jacopo da Empoli
  • Our Lady Queen of Genoa, Domenico Fiasella
  • Saint Luke depicting the Virgin, Filippo Paladini
  • Saint George and the Dragon, unknown author

See also
  • Loggia
  • La Cala

References
  1. "Gaspare Palermo, Guida istruttiva per potersi conoscere tutte le magnificenze della Città di Palermo, Volume primo, Palermo, Reale Stamperia, 1816, p. 318-320".
  2. Dana Facaros, Michael Pauls, Sicily, New Holland Publishers, 2008, p. 101
  3. Jane Fortune, Linda Falcone, Invisibile women. Forgotten artist of Florence. Ediz. italiana e inglese, TheFlorentinePress, 2010, p. 146
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