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When art meets religion it becomes a bit hard even for the toughest ecclesiastic skeptics to be harsh on what religion is all about. Arts open a new door to people’s views. It brings to surface the beauty of man-made marvels.

In Palermo, the examples of handmade artistry are various and pull in many of the prospective tourists. This urban jewel of the entire island offers consecutive attractions. The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is one example of brilliance.

The name Giacomo Serpotta is not a stranger to Sicily’s artistic legacy. He is the great creator of the stucco that adorns the Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Cita. The great artist also left its trademark on the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi by creating eight allegorical statues in the nave. They are pretty spectacular but the pinnacle of the entire mastery is reached by a gathering of choir-stalls, reliefs and other immortal beauties that please the eye.

The building was erected between 1255 and 1277 on the site of two former churches. It was subjected to consecutive restorations along the years, including in the post-war period. After 1943, the damage appeared to be quite tragic which is why intense renovations were conducted. The 15th, 16th, 18th and 19th centuries marked the prolonged renovations that returned the church to its original template. Its medieval outline was restored during the post-war reconstructions and presently it makes a good reproduction of the gist of medieval designs.

The interior welcomes visitors into a Gothic world with two rows of cylindrical pilasters that separate the nave and two aisles. The Renaissance period is present due to several features that some of the chapels hold. The artistry inside this church has a special flavor and gathers notorious names that marked the artistic world of the last centuries. Antonio and Giacomo Gagini as well as Francesco Laurana are well represented by their amazing sculptures that perfectly match the wooden choir dating from the 16th century. Gothic arcades and an open roof-truss are part of the diverse and amazing architectural collection that the church puts up. They make a special touristic venue out of the triple-aisled hall church.

It is quite amazing how arts can astonish. Their strength is subtle and releases passion. Religious and non-religious, agnostic and profound believers, casual visitors and art lovers are all welcome in the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. But keep in mind that it only makes one of the art shelters of Palermo.