Sikalesh
Cultural Association
​
Carmine Maggiore's church
Three were the church builded during the centuries inside one of the market of Palermo: Ballarò. The first, was the antic chaapel of Pity that, according to legend was donated by Queen Adelasia in 1200 at the first carmelitans came in Palermo from Jerusalem. Still the chapel and the convent, according to historic font, existed already in 1118. It's show two architectural styles: romanic and gothic. This antic chapel was inglobed into the second church builded by carmelitans in 1244 dedicated to Ss. Annunziata.
​
The today church, dedicated to Madonna of Carmine was builded by Mariano Smiriglio between 1672-1693. For this church, the prospective was rotated, the abse became the access and viceversa, all the chapels were rotated to maintain the oldest order. Elia became the Carmelitans main figure, after the winning against Baal on Monte Carmelo (I Book of King, Chap.18). In this mount used to live the fisrt pillgrims came from Europe to follow Elia. In this place builded their first chapel dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, proclamed "Lady of the place" and patron. For Her the pillgrims used to call themself "Brothers of Saint Mary of Monte Carmelo". The first rule was made by the patriarch of Jerusalem Alberto Avogardo between 1206-1214, as religious order was approved by Innocenzo Iv in 1247. Moved out from Jerusalem by the saracens in 1235, the first carmelitans came to Europe and Palermo.
​
In the middle of the Madonna del Carmelo chapel it's the oil on table made by Tommaso de Vigilia in 1492, represent the Madonna of Carmine with on sides scenes of life of the first carmelitans (Chapel of Monte Carmelo, Approvation of the rule, arrive in West, Freedom of Purgatory souls). On the side, twisted columns in stucco made by the brothers Giuseppe and Giacomo Serpotta in 1684, with history of Mary. At the top, God and the popes Dionisio and Benedetto V.
On the opposite side, the chapel of Crucifix, represented in the middle in wood in a gold drope probably made by Girolamo Bagnasco. On the side, twisted columns of Giuseppe and Giacomo Serpotta made in 1684 with history of Passion. On top, the popes S. Telesforo with a goblet in his hand and S. Zaccaria.
Of Domenico Gagini it's the statue of Madonna of Udienza, so called, according to carmelitans tradition, for the kindness on earing the prayers of faithful of the Blessed Mary during Easter time.
Of Antonello Gagini it's the statue of S. Caterina of Alessandria recognized for Her iconographic symbols: the wheel and the feet squashing the head of Heresy. On the walls frescoes of Elia.
Of Pietro Novelli it's the canvas dedicated to S. Andrea Corsini, bishop of Fiesole (1630) in his knee in front of the Blessed Mary. ​
The first chapel on the left, it's dedicated to Madonna of Carmine which simulacre in wood was covered in silver by Giuseppe Catsronovo in 1729. The door of this chapel remain closed during the year and opened up at the end of june to collocated the simulacre on presbiterian area until the procession on the last sunday of july. This procession it's followed from palermitan as the "Fistinu" of S. Rosalia the main patron of Palermo. Also Madonna of Carmelo was nominated patron of the city the 8 november of 1688
​
Opening hours: from october to march Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 01:30 pm and from 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm; from march to october from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 01:30 pm and from 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm; Sunday from 11:30 am to 03:30 pm
Tickets:
Church/cloister: 4,00€
Church/cloister (Route of sacred): 3,00€
Church/cloister/tower bell: 6,00€
Church/cloister/tower bell (Route of sacred): 5,00€
​​​
Info and group reservation: sikalesh.cultura@gmail.com; +39 351 8170095