We were very keen to visit the Church of Santa Cita in Palermo after seeing a documentary called Sicily Unpacked which featured the art historian Andrew Graham Dixon and the chef Giorgia Locatelli. In fact, so taken were we with the documentary that on the strength of it we booked a week’s holiday in Palermo. The Oratory of Santa Cita did not disappoint – in fact it exceeded our expectations!
Palermo is a hectic and noisy city but this little church is an oasis of calm and tranquillity amongst all the noise of the people and the traffic. It was hard to find – we had to ask several people the way – as it is hidden in a back street behind the Via Roma, but when we did find it – what joy!! The walls are covered with the most beautiful stucco relief which apparently was sculpted by a comparatively unknown artist in the seventeenth century. The artistry is exquisite and the little Putti which abound are gorgeous. It was well worth a visit (although on a mundane level I would avoid the toilet in the courtyard).
