Chiesa di Santa Ninfa dei Crociferi - Palermo

In 1600 , Don Camillo De Lellis, founder of the order of regular clergy of the sick, commonly called Crociferi , sent P. Neghili and Lucantonio Catalano to Palermo, who went to assist the sick and dying in the city's "great" hospital .

In August 1601, Don Camillo De Lellis himself placed the foundation stone for the construction of the religious complex which was only opened at the end of 1660, but still without the facade and many internal decorations.

The exterior presents an elegant late Renaissance style facade. It consists of two orders, the first of which is marked by tall pilasters of the Doric order , which become Ionic in the upper part of the façade. In the center of the upper part there is a high rectangular window, surmounted by an elegant triangular pediment where the Crociferi coat of arms stands out.

The three entrance gates to the church are topped by ornate stucco panels. Above the two side portals is depicted on the left "St. Camillus de Lellis healing the sick" and on the right "The laying of the foundation stone of the church" . The central portal is crowned by the bas-relief depicting "The Martyrdom of Saint Ninfa" .
On the right side of the church facade we find a chapel in which a Hecce Homo is kept in a "mixture" of papier-mâché, an object of special popular devotion, donated by Donna Elisabetta Barresi in 1722. Adjacent to the left of the church is the “ Conventual House of the PP. Cruciferous” .

The interior of the church has a Latin cross plan with one large nave. There are three chapels on each side of the nave and another two in the side arms of the transept.

Currently (2023) the entire religious complex is in critical condition . Thanks to the commitment and sacrifice of some volunteers, driven by love for the artistic heritage, they are trying to raise money that will be used to carry out some works that are absolutely urgent.

Willem Vandenameele