The history
The maximum example of Baroque art in Palermo, the Church of the Gesù, better known in the city as Casa Professa, was built in 1564 by the Jesuit fathers, incorporating parts of a pre-existing place of worship.
The new church took on sumptuous forms; work on the decoration lasted from 1658 until the end of the 18th century, and the dome was completed in 1683. The magnificent interior has a Latin cross plan with three naves and deep, intercommunicating side chapels. The Oratorio del Sabato is located on the first floor and is decorated with valuable stucco work from 1740, created by Procopio Serpotta.
In May 1943, during an air raid, a bomb struck the church's dome, causing it to collapse. A large part of the paintings in the presbytery and transept was lost. The dome was entirely rebuilt. Restorations began in 1954 and were completed in 1956.
