In this post I will visit the Church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini, a Sicilian-Baroque Church in Palermo, Sicily.
One of the most beautiful and famous attractions in Palermo to visit is one that you can easily miss when walking through the historical center of the Sicilian capital city.
The Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Teatini lies at the famous corner of Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda, also known as Quattro Canti. The exterior of the church, where you enter, is very ordinary and uninspiring. It does not look like it is anything special.
There are numerous souvenir shops, outdoor dining options, and a great place to people-watch, so your eyes will be drawn to other sights.
But if your travels take you to Palermo’s historical center, this is an attraction you should not miss.
Reasons why you should visit Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Teatini.
Inside, it showcases its magnificent examples of Sicilian Baroque architecture.
There are beautifully marbled columns, and the ceilings have fully frescoed magnificent paintings. The colors inside are predominantly green, brown, tan, and blue.
Construction of this church began in 1612 under the Theatine order and finished in 1645. There was substantial damage during World War II, which left it closed until 1966, when it reopened. It’s a great testament to Sicilian persistence.
Upon entering the church, you will find beautifully adorned holy water stoups by Ignazio Marabitti and Filippo Siragusa. These white statues each hold a basket of holy water.
The cathedral is easily accessible, located in Palermo’s historical center, an area known as Quattro Canti. Piazza Vigliena is another name for this area. The Spaniards created this name during their rule.
Chiesa di San Giuseppe Rooftop
Climbing up a wide staircase will take you to the church’s rooftop and terrace. In contrast, the stairs of the main cathedral in Palermo are very narrow and claustrophobic.
The views from the rooftop of this church are among the best for taking in the historical city. You will see the majestic Monte Pellegrino, along with the port and sea area, and other cathedrals and historical buildings that dot the skyline. Red Mediterranean roofs showcase the city’s architectural heritage.
You can get a good look at the dome of the cathedral, which is colored blue and yellow. It is reminiscent of the colors of the Michigan Wolverines.
There is a great aerial view of Piazza Pretoria, a square that originated in Florence, Italy. This square is also known as the Piazza della Vergogna, or the Square of Shame. The Fountain of Shame (Fontanta della Vergogna) is the other nickname for the square. The legend of how the name originated is quite interesting. For more information about the scandalous Piazza Pretoria, refer to a related blog post.
Italian Vocabulary Related to this Palermo Video
The dome – la cupola
The stairway – la scala
The rooftop – il tetto
The sun – il sole
The terrace – la terrazza
The belltower – il campanile
The sea – il mare
The wind – il vento
Shame – vergogna
Piazza della Vergogna – The squre of shame
Fontanta della Vergogna – fountain of shame
Four corners – quattro canti
Singers – cantanti
Monte Pellegrino is a mountain that overlooks the city, and in Italian it means Mount Pilgrim.
Other Related Links of Interest
Quattro Canti, Palermo’s historical center and heartbeat
