Church of Saint Lorenzo

At a glance. A splendid Baroque monument in the Historic Center, this church is a stunning treasure trove of art. Did you know it houses Giacomo Serpotta’s famous Virtue statues and periodically hosts exhibitions curated by the MUDIA Diocesan Museum? Find it on the map and read more!

Good to know. In a picturesque square flanking Via Atenea stands the ornate facade of the Church of San Lorenzo, also known as the Church of Purgatory. Preceded by a dramatic double staircase and crowned by a soaring bell tower, this magnificent Baroque building features brilliant white limestone details offset against a warm tufa backdrop. Most notably, the grand entrance is framed by twisted columns with Corinthian capitals and flanked by statues representing Faith and Charity. Above the portal, a medallion depicting the Virgin among angels highlights the lower order, while two statues of saints frame an artistic window on the upper tier.

The monument was erected between the late 17th and early 18th centuries, likely replacing an older church, to host solemn liturgical services offered in suffrage for the souls in Purgatory. Today, no longer used for worship, the church serves as an exhibition space for the MUDIA (Diocesan Museum) and a cultural hub for major exhibitions and events.

Inside, the single-nave interior is enriched with decorations, paintings, and female statues representing the Virtues: Love, Simplicity, Charity, Prudence, Justice, Religion, Fortitude, and Gentleness are masterpieces by the renowned Palermitan sculptor Giacomo Serpotta, his brother Giuseppe, and their workshop.

Standing out against the dominant white stuccowork are the dark wooden pulpit and two refined confessional boxes, adorned with carved panels portraying the Souls in Purgatory: the unifying theme of the entire decorative scheme.

Looking upward, visitors are captivated by the dynamic dome fresco painted by Michele Narbone, while the apse displays a canvas dedicated to Saint Lawrence. Four side chapels house additional treasures, including the Deposition and the dazzling Chapel of the Crucifix. Completing this treasure trove of art is the delicate marble statue of the Madonna of the Pomegranate, attributed to the famous school of Gagini.

Beneath the church lies a crypt once used for burials; local lore considers it a hub connecting to other historic sites in the city via an ancient network of underground tunnels.

Adjacent to the church, beneath a stone lion, sits an ancient access point to the Hypogea: an intricate network of galleries and aqueducts built in the 5th century BC by the Greek architect Feace to guarantee a water supply to ancient, wealthy Akràgas and its legendary pool in the heart of the Valley of the Temples, the Kolymbethra.