Church of the Gesù

The Church of the Gesù, in Palermo

The Church of the Gesù, or Casa Professa, is the first place of worship of the Jesuits in Palermo, built in 1564, masterpiece of Sicilian baroque. The Palermo audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary with a dazzling interior of polychrome marbles, in the Albergheria district.

The baroque masterpiece of the Jesuits

The Church of the Gesù, built from 1564, is the very first place of worship erected by the Jesuits in Palermo, and one of the oldest testimonies of the presence of this powerful order in Sicily. Gravely damaged during the Second World War, it has known several restorations that have given it back all its splendour. If its exterior remains relatively sober, its interior is a true masterpiece of Sicilian baroque, among the most dazzling of the town. Every centimetre of the walls, the pillars and the chapels is covered with a decor of an unheard-of richness: inlaid polychrome marbles form floral compositions, arabesques, figures and scenes in a profusion of colours, completed by stuccoes, sculptures, gildings and frescoes. This ornamental profusion, fruit of several centuries of embellishment, illustrates all the exuberance of the baroque art of the Counter-Reformation, wanted to amaze and to elevate the faithful. The church, also called Casa Professa, remains one of the most spectacular sanctuaries of Palermo. A baroque masterpiece and a Jesuit sanctuary, the Church of the Gesù is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the first place of worship of the Jesuits in Palermo, built from 1564, damaged in 1940 then restored, whose interior is a masterpiece of Sicilian baroque: walls, pillars and chapels covered with inlaid polychrome marbles forming floral compositions and scenes, completed by stuccoes, sculptures and gildings, in all the exuberance of the art of the Counter-Reformation. The Church of the Gesù is a baroque masterpiece of Palermo. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of the Gesù, or Casa Professa, lies in the Albergheria district, in the heart of Palermo, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services, according to its own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

What is the Church of the Gesù in Palermo?

The first place of worship erected by the Jesuits in Palermo, built from 1564; damaged in 1940 then restored, it is a masterpiece of Sicilian baroque, with an interior entirely covered with inlaid polychrome marbles, stuccoes, sculptures and gildings, in all the exuberance of the art of the Counter-Reformation.

Where is the Church of the Gesù in Palermo?

In the Albergheria district, in the heart of Palermo, in Italy.