Chiesa di Sant'Orsola dei Negri - Palermo

The Church of Sant'Orsola dei Negri is a small jewel of Palermo Baroque , dating from the first decades of the 17th century.

It is a unique religious building, lavishly decorated by Giacomo Serpotta with stuccowork depicting a detailed repertoire on the theme of death, including skeletons and bones.

The construction of the church is due to the Compagnia di Sant'Orsola , which at that time was responsible for burying the dead in the district. That is why the church is called 'dei Negri' (of the blacks) , after the color of the brotherhood's robes.

The interior of the church is rich in precious decorative elements, including paintings depicting Saints Lucy, Christina, Agatha, Nymph, Olive and Rosalie in the side chapels, the large fresco depicting the Glory of Saint Ursula on the roof and the motifs tell episodes from the life of Saint Ursula. Among the big names are Pietro Novelli, Gaspare Serenario and the Zoppo di Gangi.

Willem Vandenameele