Oratorio di Santa Cita

Catholic church · Palermo

Oratorio di Santa Cita

Catholic church · Palermo

Via Valverde, 3, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy

Highlights

Step inside the Oratorio di Santa Cita, where white stucco walls come alive with Giacomo Serpotta's stunning sculptural masterpieces and heavenly scenes.

Via Valverde, 3, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy Get directions

ilgeniodipalermo.com

@afar

"The interior walls of the Oratory of Santa Cita display the masterpiece of Palermo sculptor Giacomo Serpotta, who spent much of his life on this elaborate collection of three-dimensional stuccowork. The chapel was built as thanks to the Virgin Mary for her divine help in defeating the Ottomans at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, and the entire back wall is devoted to scenes from that skirmish. On the other walls, there's an eclectic mix of cherubs, angels, biblical scenes and much more."

The Essential Guide to Palermo

View Postcard for Oratorio del SS. Rosario in Santa Cita

Жоро Бекама

Google

It is and interesting church that used to be private, but the price of 3 euro is pretty high compared to othe churches such as Gesu that are 2 euro and are way bigger and magnificent. The good thing is that it was not crowded.

Yuta Kurimoto

Google

Originally used as a private church. Very beautiful three dimensional church somehow feels different every others.

R K Lee

Google

Simple yet unique little white stucco chapel... Oratorio di Santa Cita was a simple yet unique little chapel/oratory used as a place of assembly and worship. The entrance was at best non-descript, but upon entering, the white stucco interior was quite striking. We had purchased for Euro5 a ticket to enter which included Oratorio di Santa Domenido, as well as discounts to enter multiple other churches/attractions.

Arthur Genin

Google

Unusual religious spaces. Given the cheap entry free it’s definitely worth seeing. Really appreciated all the details on the walls but would have liked to have a bit more explanation on the concept of oratorios.

D D

Google

Such a lovely chapel, with extraordinary little scenes of angels playing, interacting with the stations of the cross. Sometimes there are concerts. We were lucky enough to see a string trio one evening.

Paolino Buttaci

Google

I saw this on BBCs Sicily Unpacked in 2012, and looked incredible. To actually be there is mind blowing - spectacular - I'm lost for words. Thank you Andrew Graham-Dixon for sharing this with us. You must go and see it for yourself.

David Glover

Google

Beautiful chapel with white relief sculpture on the walls with gold accents. The complex sculptures give an appearance of a painting with the dark shadows and bright highlights while maintaining an elegant and minimal feeling. The entry cost is 4€ or for 2€ more for added entry to the connected church a combined visit. If you have visited any other churches in palermo where you pay a fee, then save your ticket stub since they are part of the religious circuit and will save you 1€ per entry. Likewise if this is your first church, save the entry stub and you will receive a discounted entry in other churches.

Judy Lazar

Google

Never seen anything like it. Hard to find even with google. Ask locals to point it out