Church of Santa Maria della Catena in Palermo
The Church of Santa Maria della Catena in Palermo is a superb example of Gothic-Catalan style mixed with Renaissance elements.
The church is so called because it was once present a chain with which the ancient port of the city closed. However, there is another fascinating and evocative origin of the name linked to a legend.
The church was built at the end of the 1400s on a slight embankment in the southern part of the port in place of a previous votive chapel. The project of the church is attributed to Matteo Carnalivari, a distinguished Renaissance architect of Catalan culture.
The entrance is preceded by a short connecting staircase, the construction of which was necessary to fill the difference in height created following the extension, in 1581 , of the Cassaro road, the oldest road in Palermo.
Above the staircase rises an airy portico with three lowered arches supported by sturdy marble columns, closed at the sides by two small towers. Below the portico, three bas-reliefs by Vincenzo Gagini decorate the access doors to the church. Above the portico, the statue of Santa Cristina is found within a niche, on the top of the façade a singular pierced cymatium in stone of harmonious design with abstract stylized motifs.
The interior has three naves with double transept and apses. The skilful distribution of light and the harmony of the environment is linked to the presence of the multi-faceted ribs of the cross vaults, the lantern covered with a star vault, and the apses covered with umbrella vaults. Of exquisite workmanship is a 14th century painting of the Madonna. recently unearthed under a 16th century painting.
