Exuberant Palermo: from Baroque to Rococo

Exuberant Palermo: from Baroque to Rococo
Weekend itinerary on request

Far from the classical tours of Palermo which focus mainly on the Arabo-Norman period, this weekend itinerary offers a rare insight into the Baroque and Rococo spirit of the city.
This tour of Palermo is conceived as a walk through time to discover the splendour of an epoch – from the Quattro Canti, whose construction in Palermo marks the birth of the Baroque art in Sicily, to the Rosario oratories and its dozens of playful stuccos.

Guided through the busy and popular old quarters of Palermo, you will explore some of the city’s most precious churches, built by powerful religious orders to display their prominence and attract believers through emotions and theatricality, in the wake of the Counter Reformation. They called on the talent of prestigious artists such as the painter Novelli and the sculptor Serpotta to whom you will be introduced. You will also become familiar with some typical Sicilian techniques such as the polychrome marbles. The itinerary also includes a visit to one of the city’s private palaces, still inhabited by its family of origin, and splendidly decorated to impress and show the prestige of the family. Strolling through Palermo’s historic markets, you’ll see how the rich and fine baroque decorations of these Palermo churches and palaces are also reflected in the city’s colourful and sensual markets.

This weekend itinerary can be modified so as to meet any particular interests you may have. Contact us for more information on this.

: View of Palermo

: Church of S. Ninfa ai Crociferi, inside view

: Church of S. Ninfa ai Crociferi, Ceiling

: Church of Casa Professa, inlaid marble decoration

: Church of S. Maria del Carmine, Dome

: Church of S. Giuseppe dei Teatini, inside view

: CHurch of Casa Professa, detail of marble decoration

: The Quattro Canti

: Fontana Pretoria

Itinerary

FRIDAY

Travel to your hotel in Palermo from the airport (a shuttle departs for the city centre every 30mn). Free evening to dine and explore the city centre.

SATURDAY

First thematic visit 9.30 -12.00
A stroll through Palermo’s markets and their baroque churches

You will discover

The city’s historic markets, their exuberance and sensuality, and the ingredients of the Sicilian cuisine which incorporates the traditions of the diverse people who have conquered the island.
The silence and sumptuousness of the Baroque churches hidden in the city’s historic markets: Carmine Maggiore with its prominent cupola, covered with Sicilian ceramic tiles, and Serpotta’s exquisite stuccos representing stories of the New Testament; Sant’Agostino with its stupendous stone rose; the church of the Concezione with, on its main altar, the Immacolata Concezione tra cherubini e serafini by Sicily’s greatest painter, Pietro Novelli; the manneristic church of Santa Caterina with its superb stuccos, polychrome marble and fine frescoes.

Free time 12.00 – 16.00

Suggestions will be made regarding places to indulge in Palermo’s authentic and popular “street food”.

Second thematic visit: 16.00 -18.00
Palermo 1500-1700: an expanding city port. Urban transformation and building fervour of religious orders

This thematic visit will guide you through

The Quattro Canti, the nascent point of Baroque art in Sicily and one of the most scenic ensembles of the island.
Palermo’s urban structure, one of the most fascinating aspects of a city clamped between sea and mountain.
The power and influence of the religious orders that left sumptuous churches as they competed for splendour, wealth and fervour, seeking to attract believers in the wake of the Counter Reformation.
The Casa Professa of the powerful Jesuit order, richly decorated by polychromatic and mixed marbles, a Sicilian art inspired by Arabic and Byzantine traditions.
The Church of San Giuseppe (Order of the Teatini) abounds with golden stuccos and coloured marble, and leaves visitors with a sensation of triumph.
The Church of Santa Ninfa ai Crociferi (Order of the Crociferi) is quite sober, although it hides many art jewels such as statues by G. Serpotta, a rare example of an oil painting on a wall, and some trompe l’oeil.

Third thematic visit: 18.15 – 20.30
The splendours of Palermo’s aristocratic palaces

Palermo counts over three hundred aristocratic palaces. Most of them have been destroyed or damaged during the war or by want of resources and care. Today, only a dozen are still owned and inhabited by the descendents of the original families.

Through the visit of one of Palermo’s most prestigious palaces, you will be introduced to

The importance of the aristocracy in Palermo, from the end of the Normand rule until its decline, as illustrated in Tomasi di Lampedusa’s famous novel, The Leopard.
Its extraordinary heritage -from the 15th century Gothic-Catalan palazzi to those of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, endowed with sumptuous baroque decorations. This epoch was marked by rivalry in prestige and power among noble families who endeavoured to build and decorate sumptuous palaces with sculptures, stuccos, frescoes and tapestries.
The history of an aristocratic family and its way of life.

Dinner in a Sicilian trattoria

You will experience some of the very best Sicilian dishes like the wild fennel and sardine pasta, the bitter and sweet caponata (a colourful cold vegetable ‘ratatouille’), the very fresh and rich seafood, the renowned cassata, the ‘baroque pastry’ par excellence, the fine and refreshing watermelon and lemon sorbets.

SUNDAY

Fourth thematic visit: 9.30-12.30
When religion and sensuality meet: the Oratories of the Confraternity of the Rosary in S. Cita and S. Domenico

You will discover or better appreciate

The perfect harmony between the different architectonic and decorative aspects of the Oratory of the Rosary in Santa Cita, and the Oratory of the Rosary in S. Domenico.
The work of Serpotta, the master of stucco works, the creator of hundreds of playing and frolic angels.
The history of the Confraternity of the Rosary, which was one of the richest and most influential association in the city of Palermo, and its importance in Europe.
The work of other important Sicilian artists of the time such as the accomplished painter Pietro Novelli who was heavily influenced by Caravaggio.

Price of the weekend per person with a minimum of 6 participants: € 265.00
Contact us to get a quote for a group 5 participants or less.

The prices given above include:
-          Guided visits led by an art historian
-          Entrance fees to churches and oratories
-          Guided visit to one of Palermo’s most sumptuous palaces with aperitif*
-          Saturday night dinner
-          Organisation and booking costs.

*The choice of palace to visit will depend on availability and the group size. It will be communicated two weeks prior to the start of the cultural tour.

The price of the weekend excludes accomodation, meals (except that of Saturday evening), flights and transfers. We can offer advice on all the latter.

Contact us to book this weekend itinerary for your private group. We will let you know about our availabilities and answer any questions you may have.