oratory of the rosary of st. cita (oratorio del rosario di santa cita)

LyndaA_12

I really don't like Baroque architecture or most of the art, but Serpotta's amazingly creative and human figures warm the heart. He isn't trying to be grand and impressive, his artwork was designed to speak to ordinary people and it does just that.

978dianek

The oratory was a little hard to find - but we kept trying. The 2nd day we came on a Sunday and it was closed (perhaps because it was low season - but not sure). On a Tuesday we went back again and were successful in getting in (sign said open until 2 PM today). The reliefs were beautiful and fun to look at. Enjoyed seeing the various looks on the cherubs faces and how they were positioned. We did not get the headsets and were able to enjoy nonetheless.

chefmsm

We stumbled across this gem while exploring the city . Beautiful inside, must use audio guide, very informative.

permia

These sculpture creations by the master craftsman are wondrous. Serpotta was a poor artist living in an area of Palermo where statues for religious processions were made. The works in this chapel, which is dedicated to the Rosary, were his first major commission.Serpotta had the innovative step of adding marble dust to the stucco paste, before it was applied to the frame of wire and wood, giving the lustre still to be seen today. The back wall commemorates the Battle of Lepanto where the Christian forces defeated the Ottoman Turks. The mysteries of the rosary are portrayed around the walls. The vignettes is each set on its own mini stage. The placing of the putti in each frame is charming and they mirror the event occurring in the set below.

Despardo

The little know but highly regarded 17th century sculptor Giacomo Serpota lavishly ornamented this small, but attractive space with a profusion of full relief sculpture done in stucco (not considered as prestigious as marble, hence Serpota's relative obscurity.) The oratory provides a dazzling display of skill and artistry. Well worth the time to see it.

go'connor

We had seen a tv show in which this chapel featured, so decided to visit. We found it very difficult to find. it is a little confusing as there are two "Oratorio Rosario" but finally found it and were we delighted to do so! It is hard to believe the statues, scenes, etc are all made of stucco. Like 12gotoperu we were open-mouthed at the beauty of it all. Unlike any other church I have seen. I'm so glad we managed to find it. (It is tucked away behind the larger church of San Domenico, on via Roma.)

12gotoperu

This is a very delightfully different church than all the others I have seen in my travels to Italy. One just sort of stands there with the mouth hanging open! Go see it.

93DavidR93

We picked up a taxi at the port (set fee 120 euro for 5 hours) and proceeded to visit all the sites of Palermo on our wish list. The day was wonderful and provided us with an agglomeration of the tours that were available from the ship and an attentive guide who was hell bent on showing us everything that tourists love to see when they visit Palermo. This hidden treasure in Palermo was a treasure to behold. Serpotta's artistry, the stucco impact in one place, the inauspicious entrance (we had to insist that our taxi driver take us here!!) proved to be a breathtaking moment in our short stay in Palermo. The entry price was only 6 euro and we would definitely go again if we return to Palermo. One word of caution...don''t let your taxi driver extend past the set time or you will pay!!

AndrewandJenny

We had seen this on the Sicily Unpacked TV programme and were determined to visit it - and we are so glad that we did. It was incredible. It was hard to find, being situated off a back street, but once inside it was magnificent and left a lasting impression on both of us.

Foodielicious2

Get the headsets; their detail is superb. The room is amazing; you wonder how the sculptor could create such beauty! It took about a half hour to go all around the room, with the headsets telling all there was to learn about each woman, each cherub, and the meaning of each niche. I liked the gold accents and the starkness of the white which gave a holy, pure feeling to the room. The benches on the sides were inlaid with mother of pearl; the adjoining room's portraits are also on the tour. The streets nearby, when you are finished, are full of first class jewelers as well as a few places for a snack.

601ilariac

the 2 oratories have audioguide for a good price. Are 2 monument very impressive, beautifull but is interesting listen because were built and used

FPWhitePlains

Breathtaking Sicilian Baroque Oratorio by the master Giacomo Serpotta. White Biblical scenes sometimes offset by gold trim. Each scene is a masterpiece in itself. A must for lovers of "putti"and excessiveness.

crToronto

This is a small "chapel", part of a bigger church. The quality of the sculptures is amazing - many "putti" ,or babies, with tons of personality. The level of detail is unbelievable. Make sure to take the audio guide,and listen to it twice - you won't be able to follow the lecture and see what is being described in just one go.

lyn057

Walking in here is like walking into a wedding cake. White stucco everywhere - the most magnificent sculptures you are ever likely to see, with little putti at every turn, and all done in plaster by the master, Giacomo Serpotta. Grab an audio commentary, as it gives you a really good guide to all the statues and scenes around the walls. Allegories are everywhere, and the audio guide informs you of these, which I think adds to the experience.

Darija5

Splendid example of sicilian baroque. Not easy to find but wellcoming citizens of Palermo are willing to help. This oratory is most beautiful oratory in Palermo as it is completely white and highly ornamented. Pay attention to beautifuly engraved seatings around the walls. It is not crowded as other Palermo atractions, in fact we were alone in it, so it was also contributing to our special expirience of the place.