The Church of Saint Matthew (San Matteo al Cassaro) is a typically Baroque building, begun in 1634 for the Confraternity of the Miserenimi, founded by the Franciscan friar Fra Leonardo Galici, with the aim of bringing mercy to the penitents of Purgatory. In the 12th century, there was a church dedicated to the same saint opposite the present one.
Presentation and visit
Frescoes of the vault
The Baroque facade was built in 1660 by Carlo D’Aprile and Gaspare Guercio, richly adorned with columns, volutes and cornices.
The interior has a basilical plan with three naves decorated with marble cladding, frescoes and stuccoes.
Of particular note are the frescoes by Vito D’Anna, including the Apotheosis of Saints Matthew and Matthias, and on the vault the souls freed from Purgatory, or in the dome the Triumph of the Virgin.
At the base of the pillars supporting the drum of the dome are the statues of the four theological virtues (Faith, Justice, Hope and Charity) by Sperpotta and Sanseverino.
The gilded stuccoes located between the arches, with the twelve apostles, are also by Bartolomeo Sanseverino.
Giacomo Serpotta is also the author of the sculptural group of the pediment above the high altar, with the Seraphim accompanying the Lamb on the Book of Revelation, and on the counter-facade, the Christ and the souls in purgatory.
Among the dozens of precious works preserved here, let us mention in particular two canvases by Pietro Novelli (fourth chapels), the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, and the mystical marriage of the Virgin, with Saint Anne between Mary and Joseph.
Central nave 
Dome 
Counter-facade and nave 
Counter-facade
Where is the Church of Saint Matthew of the Cassaro
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Via Vittorio Emanuele, 295, 90133 Palermo
Information
Chiesa di San Matteo al Cassaro
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 295, 90133 Palermo
Sources and external sites
- Tourist office and city guide: turismo.comune.palermo.it, www.palermoviva.it,