Chiesa del Gesù di Casa Professa - Palermo

The Church of Gesù, better known as Casa Professa , built in 1564 by the Jesuit Fathers, certainly represents the most important example of Baroque art in Palermo. Despite taking over some of the previous structures, the new church was opulent in form and the dome was completed in 1683.

The decoration was worked on from 1658 to the end of the 18th century . From 1703 a new phase of decoration of the ceilings and vaults began; the stucco work was executed by Procopio Serpotta, while the frescoes were the work of Antonio Grano.

The facade, based on a late sixteenth-century design, is placed on a staircase; Niches are placed on the openings that house the statues of the Virgin of the Grotto with Jesus , St. Ignatius and St. Francis.

The grandiose interior is in the shape of a Latin cross with three naves and deep, interconnecting side chapels . The imposing size and the exuberant decoration, which seamlessly covers the entire surface, make it a combination of incredible Baroque expressiveness.

In fact, the interior of the church is one of the most representative and homogeneous products of the so-called "mixed marble" decoration . On the first floor is the Oratory of Sabato , decorated with valuable stuccowork from 1740 made by Procopio Serpotta and a fresco on the vault depicting the Coronation of the Virgin painted by Filippo Randazzo.

It is also possible to visit the Museum , which extends over several levels. In the various thematic rooms dedicated to the "Treasure of the Jesuits" many sacred furnishings, valuable frontals, refined astensories and various furniture in coral and silver from the artisanal production of Trapani from the century are exhibited. XVII and XVIII.

Willem Vandenameele