Church of S. Maria della Catena - Palermo 

Piazzetta della Dogana. Built on the site of a small chapel between 1490 and 1520 by architect Matteo Carnilivari, it took its name from the end of the chain that closed off the Cala harbor. Inside, the naves are separated by squat columns reinforced by rectangular pilasters, which support the Catalan arches of the vault, interspersed with transverse pointed arches. The exterior features the same layout, with pilasters running along the perimeter walls and a portico divided into three parts by Catalan arches, like the naves, at the top of a staircase (initially with two flights, expanded in 1845). Inside are a Nativity with Adoration of the Shepherds, a 17th-century canvas by an unknown artist, and a Nativity and Adoration of the Magi, 16th-century bas-reliefs attributed to Vincenzo and Antonello Gagini, who also sculpted the column capitals and entrance portals. The first chapel on the right is dedicated to Saint Bridget, with a 17th-century canvas by an unknown artist depicting the saint in glory at the center. On the sides and ceiling are 18th-century frescoes by Olivio Sozzi, depicting, from left to right, the Virgin crowning Saint Bridget, Saint Bridget in glory, and Christ showing his bloody side. The second chapel contains access to a former votive chapel: the door was the ancient entrance to the church. The fresco in this chapel dates to the 14th century and is the venerated effigy of the Virgin of Grace. At the four corners of the chapel are 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 (to the right). All the statues are attributed to the Gaginis.

Property included in the Multimedia Archive of Esoteric Cultural Heritage

The property has been recognised as a property that could present characteristics attributable to theCultural EsotericismGroup belonging: A

Methodological note: 

The assets entered in the archive are divided into three groups, based on their level of recognition and documentation:

• Group A – Well signposted: This includes cultural assets identified as potentially esoteric. This is an initial observation phase, during which the asset is studied, compared with sources, and critically evaluated.
• Group B – Recognized asset: It includes assets for which there are reliable studies and documentation attesting to their belonging to the Esoteric Cultural Heritage, but which are not yet accompanied by the complete esoteric profile.
• Group C – Well documented: It contains fully recognized and analyzed items, accompanied by a detailed esoteric description illustrating their symbolic meanings, interpretations, and historical-cultural context. This is the most advanced level of documentation within the archive.

To ensure rigor and interpretative consistency, the archive is based on a rigorous methodology aimed at avoiding the indiscriminate inclusion of cultural assets. To this end, specific criteria are adopted: recognition tools and a classification system, illustrated in the project Archive of Cultural Esotericism, described on the external site Experiential itineraries, to which we refer for further methodological information.