Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Cita, Palermo
Entrance to the Oratory of St. Cita. Photo by Gabriella Alu'.
The splendid stucco decoration of the Oratory. Photo by Gabriella Alu'.
The Battle of Lepanto in stucco. Photo by Gabriella Alu'.
Bust of the artist Giacomo Serpotta. Photo by Gabriella Alu'.
The Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Cita is a small chapel in Palermo, Sicily, dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary.
The oratory was built in the 16th century in gratitude for the Virgin's miraculous intervention at the Battle of Lepanto (1571) against the Turks.
The stucco relief decoration is the work of Giacomo Serpotta (after 1688), a bust of whom was installed in 1934 to mark the second centenary of his death.
The stucco panel on the rear wall depicts the Battle of Lepanto, and other reliefs show scenes from the New Testament. All are portrayed with extravagent realism. The oratory is also home to some rich mother-of-pearl benches.
The neighboring Church of Santa Cita (Chiesa di Santa Cita), from which the oratory takes its name, is filled with sculptures (1517-27) by Antonello Gagini.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Cita; Santa Zita; San Mamiliano |
| Date: | c.1571 |
| Type of site: | Oratory |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Address: | Via Valverde 3, Palermo, Sicily, Italy |
| Phone: | 091 33 27 79 |
| Hours: | Mon-Sat 9am-1pm If closed, ring the bell or ask in the Church of Santa Cita |
| Cost: | Free |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Oratorio di Santa Cita. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Palermo Map or get our free Google Earth download.
