Saint Teresa Church in Kalsa, Palermo

In front of the 16th-century "Porta dei Greci," Santa Teresa Church overlooks the main square of the Kalsa, the historical quarter originally built by Arabs, freckled with baroque jewels and rich with folklore. Constructed between 1686 and 1796 by Giuseppe Amato, this gentle church is maybe the most fitting example of baroque classicism in Palermo, based on the model of Roman Baroque and far from its sumptuous excesses. The elegant facade enlivened by usual spiral garnishments and Corinthian columns has six niches enclosing saints statues, whose white marble contrasts gently with the rose-ochre dominant color. Above the portal a fine white marble medallion by Cristoforo Milanti represents the holy family. The inner nave is enriched with lateral chapels and stucco decorations by Giacomo and Procopio Serpotta. The beautiful altar comes from the destroyed Raccomandate Church, as well as Gasparo Serenari's painting "Maternità della Madonna proclamata ad Efeso." - Valentina Caviglia 

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