Palermo from the Gothic to the Renaissance

Palermo is a land rich in history and beauty, a city that deserves to be known and loved, a city that, due to the large amount of art it contains, requires a visit that spans several days so as to be able to live it in full, the day and night, to fully grasp all its peculiarities and its charm.

There are many accommodation facilities in a city as large as this and cover all the desirable solutions passing from the bed and breakfast in Palermo to hotels, farms to holiday homes. A b&b in Palermo center is definitely a valid and comfortable solution to start your tour to discover the Sicilian capital.

One of the most interesting interpretations of the art of Palermo is the visit to its monuments from the period from the Gothic to the Renaissance.

The House of the Fathers of the Congregation of San Filippo Neri (end of the 16th century) now houses the “Antonio Salinas” Regional Archaeological Museum.

The Gancia or Santa Maria degli Angeli was built in 1490. To mention, in its interior, the sixteenth-century wooden ceiling and the organ of the late sixteenth century.

Palazzo Abatellis (late fifteenth century) currently houses the Regional Gallery. Among the works conserved there must certainly be mentioned the fifteenth-century fresco of the Triumph of Death and the Annunciation by Antonello da Messina (15th century).

Palazzo Marchesi (15th century), initially a noble residence, then passed to the Jesuits at the end of the 16th century. Interesting the arcaded courtyard with Gothic arches.

The Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi (about 1260) was remodeled in the following centuries.

The Church of San Giorgio dei Genovesi (1575-1596) is one of the most important renaissance factories in Palermo.

The Church of San Nicolò Da Tolentino whose first complex dates back to the fifteenth century. and it was long modified over the years.

The church of Sant’Agostino (1275) has a beautiful fifteenth-century portal and the splendid stuccos by Giacomo Serpotta (1711-1729).

Santa Eulalia dei Catalani (15th century) with imposing marble columns of Barcelona.

The church of Santa Maria della Catena (1490-1520) in Gothic-Catalan style.

The church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo (1509) was never completely built up and, unfortunately, it was soon abandoned, due to various vicissitudes. The structure today hosts numerous events.

The church of Santa Maria la Nova (14th-16th century).

Palazzo Chiaramonte (or Steri) was built in the fourteenth century. Inside, in the Sala Magna, a painted wooden ceiling (1377-1380).

Palazzo Sclafani was built in 1330 and, in 1435, became a Civic Hospital.

Palazzo Aiutamicristo (1495-1501) for its magnificence was chosen, over the centuries, to host royals and emperors.

Palazzo Arcivescovile (1460) incorporates the medieval tower of the cathedral and was enlarged in the 16th century.

Palazzo Pretorio, or Palazzo delle Aquile, is the representative seat of the Municipality of Palermo. It was built in the fourteenth century and rebuilt at the end of the XVth century.

The Fontana Pretoria was built in 1554 by Francesco Camilliani in Florence and moved to Palermo in 1581.

The Church of S. Caterina (1566-1596) with a rich interior decoration.