Palermo, fires destroy 15th-century church of Santa Maria di Gesù

The fires ravaging Sicily in recent hours have not spared one of Palermo’s oldest churches, that of Santa Maria di Gesù. The flames affected not only the house of worship but also the adjacent monumental cemetery and the convent of St. Benedict the Moor. The church, located in the village of the same name at the foot of Mount Grifone, has thirteenth-century origins (but was completed in the fifteenth century), and within the walls of its convent died, in 1589, Saint Benedict the Moor himself, canonized in 1807, whose main shrine is the one that went up in flames. The son of slaves, probably of Ethiopian descent, St. Benedict the Moor is highly venerated in Africa (he is patron saint of Nigeria, Togo, Benin, and Angola), and the church held his relics, which were severely damaged by the flames.

The fire, which grew out of vegetation on Mount Grifone, semi-destroyed the church, compromising the precious wooden coffered ceiling from the Renaissance period, and causing serious damage to the works of art preserved here. Photographs circulated in these on the web show blackened altars and destroyed wooden statues. Fortunately safe were the 30 people who were in the convent, all of whom were evacuated. With the flames extinguished, Civil Protection Councillor Antonella Tirrito was unfortunately able to note, following an inspection, that “The roof is gone, all the walls are blackened, many paintings have been destroyed as well as the altar statue.”

Among the works devastated by the fire was the precious wooden Madonna and Child from around 1470, which stood on the altar of St. Mary of Jesus, the most scenic altar in the building. Also finished in pieces was the 17th-century crucifix made by Friar Innocent of Petralia Sottana.

aglione

Palermo, fires destroy 15th-century church of Santa Maria di Gesù

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.