Chiesa di Gesù e Maria alla Mercede - Palermo

The Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Monastery of the Discalced Reformed Mercedarians under the title of the 'Immaculate Conception' in Cartari formed a religious and monumental whole.

The third monastery of the fathers of the Order of the Discalced Reformed Mercedaries under the name "Immaculate Conception" was founded in 1634 by Brother Francesco di San Gerlando, commendatore of the Monastery of San Pietro Nolasco in Cefalù, with the privilege of serving as a hospice - infirmary for the fathers of the monastery of the Church of Santa Maria al Molo Nuovo. Via dei Cartari in the Lattarini district was a street mainly lined with houses and workshops of playing card manufacturers.

For the construction of the new institute, the palace of the Baron of Gratteri was purchased from the Ventimiglia family. Initially, the religious were forced to occupy the property privately due to the conflicting opinions of the descendants of the family and the inflexible religious of the nearby monasteries of San Francesco d'Assisi and Santa Maria della Misericordia.

The consecration of the temple and the first buildings took place on April 28, 1635.

Willem Vandenameele