City: Under the boot or mainland of
Italy lies the island of Sicily. The capital of the autonomous
region of Sicily is the city of Palermo. With no less than
656,081 inhabitants (dec. 2009) it is the fifth largest city
of Italy. The city is located on the northern coast of Sicily.
The history of Palermo goes back to the 7th or 8th century
BC when Phoenicians founded a trade settlement there. The
2700 years long history has been very intense. Palermo has
belonged to the Greek Empire, the Roman Empire, the Vandals,
the Goths, the Byzantine Empire, the Arabs, the Normans, the
Holy Roman Empire, Spain, France, Austria and Italy.
Palermo today profiles itself as a city with a rich history,
culture, music, art and gastronomy. In addition it has a favorable
Mediterranean Sea climate and therefore it has become a popular
tourist spot.
Bldg.: Chiesa di S. Orsola.
The baroque church at the Via Maqueda (Saint. Ursula)
was completed in the year 1662. The church was built by the
brotherhood ‘Compagnia di San Orsola'. They were also
known by the name ‘Confraternita dei neri dell'Orazione'
(Black Botherhood of the Prayer) or in short ‘Il Negro’,
so named because of their work of accompanying mourners after
the death of a beloved one and symbolized by their black dress
The crypt inside the church has become famous as many ‘loculi’
or sepulchre niches have been made to act as the final resting
places for negri and influential citizens of Palermo.
Object: God’s name is
seen here in a triangle surrounded by clouds and cherubs,
above the main altar. The writing is Hebrew.
