Church of Saint George of the Genoese, Renaissance church near La Cala harbor, Palermo, Italy
The Church of Saint George of the Genoese is a Renaissance building facing La Cala harbor and displays a Latin cross plan with three naves separated by Carrara marble columns. An octagonal dome rises above the intersection, creating a distinct silhouette in the harbor area.
Genoese merchants commissioned architect Giorgio Di Faccio to build this church between 1576 and 1596, and it replaced the previous San Luca church on the site. The construction coincided with Palermo's role as a major Mediterranean trading hub.
The church served as a gathering place for the Genoese community living in Palermo, keeping their identity and ties to their homeland visible through the building itself. The burial stones on the floor mark the presence of merchant families who chose to rest here, reflecting how this space mattered to them.
The church is regularly open to visitors, making it easy to walk through and see the interior arrangement. Check opening hours ahead of time since they change with the seasons.
The side chapels contain paintings by renowned artists such as Luca Giordano and Jacopo Palma the Younger, making them a hidden art collection that visitors often miss. These works show the care taken to commission quality pieces for the space.
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