Teatro Nuovo Montevergini - Palermo

The first complex was built in 1498 and used as the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie di Montevergini. This first structure was located a short distance from the current complex and was partially destroyed in 1885.

The adjacent church was built from 1687 onwards. In 1716, the bell tower with a small majolica dome was built to the right of the facade.

In 1866, the complex fell into the hands of the state due to the abolition of the religious orders , the building was used for school purposes , while the church became a court . Currently the church is used as a theater while the adjacent rooms are a nightclub , the roof terrace is not always accessible.

The carved stone facade houses the statues of Santa Rosalia and Santa Chiara in the lower niches. In the center is the coat of arms of the "second Franciscan Order" (the Poor Clares) : two arms crossing each other on the cross of Christ, one that of the naked Christ and the other that of Saint Francis covered in the habit that represents the agreement with the will of Christ.

The theater in the building was inaugurated in 2005 and is equipped with 150 seats and acoustics that make it optimal for chamber music concerts . The stage is placed in the apse of the church, the entire project was carried out taking into account the reversibility of the building, the theater therefore consists exclusively of movable parts.

The interior has a single nave with a barrel vault, frescoed in 1721 by Guglielmo Borremans with the Glory of the Franciscan Order and the Assumption of Saint Clare, accompanied by Saint Francis of Assisi, depicted in the center.

Willem Vandenameele