Chiesa Sant'Ignazio all'Olivella - Palermo

Construction of the church started in 1598 . Presumably this site housed the Sinibaldi family palace , where the 12th century Santa Rosalia was born. There was a Norman-era chapel on the site.

The Oratory of Santa Caterina is located to the right of the facade, recessed in relation to the square. North of the facade is the former monastery of the Jesuit Congregation , now Regional Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas.

The facade, completed between 1655 and 1690, is characterized by the presence of two double bell towers, by an abundance of slightly projecting columns, by portals and statues that, following the example of contemporary Roman constructions, transformed the facade of the church into a beautiful and sumptuous baroque document . A large staircase, enclosed by an iron fence, leads to the portals, built around 1690, with finely carved wooden doors.

The second order statues show: S. Rosalia and S. Filippo Neri, on the right bell tower, S. Francesco de Sales and S. Ignazio, on the left. The building is topped by an elegant dome, completed in 1732 and covered with lead plates.

The interior , with a triple nave, is large and solemn and has a Latin cross plan. The naves are divided by columns and supplemented with side chapels; the enormous transept leads to the large rectangular chapel. The decoration, carried out in the 18th century, includes important pictorial and sculptural works.

Of great value is the floor , which consists of an elegant composition of polychrome marble. The vault was decorated with scenes from the Holy Scriptures by Antonio Manno in 1790; the neoclassical compartments were prepared by Venanzio Marvuglia, who contributed to the final furnishing of the church around 1772.

Furthermore, of notable interest are: the statue of the Immaculate Conception created by Alessandro Bagnasco in 1873; canvas of S. Rosalia painted by Filippo Randazzo; two choir stalls with organ flanking the gallery, decorated with marble panels; the 19th century main altar in marble with stone and bronze friezes and flanked by two marble statues made by Ignazio Marabitti depicting Saint Peter and Saint Paul etc.

Willem Vandenameele