San Domenico, Palermo

San Domenico is a baroque church in the La Loggia district of Palermo, following a Latin cross plan with three naves separated by sixteen monolithic columns of Billiemi marble along its 89 meters. The facade shows the typical features of Sicilian baroque style with two tiers, pilasters, and a staircase leading up to it.

The original Dominican church from 1280 was replaced in 1640 by a new structure designed by architect Andrea Cirrincione. The baroque facade was added later and completed in 1726.

Since 1853, the building has served as the Pantheon of Sicily, housing burial monuments and memorials for notable Sicilian figures from different fields. Visitors can find tributes to writers, artists, and other important people of the island between the columns, where they were laid to rest.

The church sits on Piazza San Domenico, located a few blocks south of Palazzo delle Poste in central Palermo and connected to Via Roma. Visitors can enter the interior during opening hours to see the burial monuments and baroque decoration.

The wooden choir from the early 1700s displays many carved friezes and wooden reliefs showing Dominican saints and religious figures. The choir stalls are decorated with fine details and offer a look into the craftsmanship of that period.

Location: Palermo

Inception: 1458

Architectural style: baroque architecture

Website: http://domenicani-palermo.it

GPS coordinates: 38.11902,13.36338

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30