Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli - Palermo

The church was built in 1545 on the spot where a miraculous image of the Virgin was painted on the wall .

Although the building conforms to the renewed style paradigm of the Renaissance, it is still characterized by the local tradition of 14th century churches of Norman origin.

It has a Greek plan in the shape of a square; the interior has great vertical dynamics and reveals a complete spatial structure, based on the placement of centered arches above light columns and high superstructure. The effect of the square tiburium, even higher, from which the grazing light penetrates is extraordinary .

The strongly centered space of the nave is matched by the polygonal apse covered in lunettes .

Particularly interesting are the sculptural details, capitals and column bases, executed in the Gagini's workshops. On the main facade, two half-columns with a linear entablature introduce the architraved portal.

On the north side there is a loggia with arches in the middle, which was closed together with the church or a little earlier and used as a church under the name of St Apollonia.

Willem Vandenameele