Church of S. Maria della Catena - Palermo
Piazzetta della Dogana. It was built, in place of a small chapel, between 1490 and 1520 by the architect Matteo Carnilivari and took this name because one end of the chain that closed the port of Cala was placed on a wall of the church. Inside, the naves are separated by squat columns reinforced by rectangular pillars, which support the Catalan arches (lowered) of the vault, interspersed with cross ogival arches. Outside, the same layout can be seen, with the pilasters that run along the perimeter walls and the portico divided into three parts by Catalan arches, like the naves, at the top of a staircase (initially with two flights, enlarged in 1845). Inside there is a Nativity with the Adoration of the Shepherds, a XNUMXth-century canvas by an unknown artist, a Nativity and an Adoration of the Magi, XNUMXth-century bas-reliefs attributed to Vincenzo and Antonello Gagini who also sculpted the capitals of the columns and the portals of entrance. The first chapel on the right is dedicated to Santa Brigida, with in the center a canvas by an unknown painter of the seventeenth century depicting the saint in glory, while on the sides and on the ceiling there are frescoes dating back to the eighteenth century by Olivio Sozzi, which depict from left the Virgin who crowns Saint Bridget, Saint Bridget in glory and Christ showing him her bloody side. The second chapel contains the access to a former votive chapel: the door was the ancient entrance to the church. The fresco in this chapel dates back to the XNUMXth century and is the revered effigy of the Virgin of Grace. At the four corners of the chapel are the statues of four saints: Margherita (to the left of the altar) Ninfa (to the right of the altar), Barbara (to the left in front of the fresco) and Oliva (right). All the statues are attributed to the Gagini.
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