Santa Ninfa dei Crociferi
The Church of Saint Nympha is a Baroque-Mannerist church of Palermo. The facade rises on Via Maqueda, a block north of the central intersection known as the Quattro Canti, in the quarter of Seralcadi, within the historic centre of Palermo. The church belongs to the Camillians.
History
The church is dedicated to one of the female patron saints of Palermo: Ninfa or Nympha who had lived in Palermo was putatively martyred for her faith in the 4th century. It is one of the first buildings erected after the opening of Via Maqueda, the second most important street of the city.The order of the Camillians had been founded by the later canonized Camillus de Lellis in 1582, and rapidly spread throughout Italy. Its adherents, known for wearing cassocks with a red cross, and known as the Crociferi were in demand for their service in ministering to the sick.
Construction of the church began on 10 August 1601 with funds assigned by the Senate of Palermo and donations. Saint Camillus de Lellis attended this inauguration. In the same area the house of the Crociferi was erected.
The original design was probably prepared in Rome. In Palermo many architects were involved in the construction: Giovanni Macolino, Giacomo Amato, Giuseppe Clemente Mariani, Ferdinando Lombardo and Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia. The church was open in 1660, but because of financial difficulties, the construction was completed only in 1750 with the conclusion of the façade designed by Ferdinando Lombardo. The church houses many artworks of important artists.
Some relics of Saint Camillus are held in the church.
Sir John Acton was buried here after his death in 1811.
Art
Paintings
Oil on canvas:Nympha and the other Virgins of Palermo with Saint Joseph, Mary and the Most Holy Trinity, Gioacchino MartoranaSaint Camillus ascends to Heaven, Gaspare SerenarioDeath of Saint Joseph, Guglielmo BorremansHoly Family, Guglielmo BorremansSaint Joseph the Carpenter, Guglielmo BorremansMartyrdom of Saint Venantius, unknown authorGod the Father, unknown authorPanel painting:Our Lady of Health, unknown author
Frescoes:Saint Paul and the Triumph of the Cross, Gioacchino MartoranaSaint Jerome, Gioacchino MartoranaSaint Gregory the Great, Gioacchino MartoranaSaint Augustine, Gioacchino MartoranaSaint Ambrose, Gioacchino MartoranaSaint Philip Neri in Glory, Alessandro D'AnnaSaint Magdalene penitent, Alessandro D'AnnaSaint Liberalis, unknown authorSaint Evansia, unknown authorAdoration of the Bronze Serpent, unknown authorAssumption of the Virgin, unknown author
Sculptures
High reliefs:Martyrdom of Saint Nympha, Gaspare FirrioloSaint Camillus takes care of the infirms, Vittorio PerezThe groundbreaking of the church, Vittorio PerezStatues:Saint John the Baptist, Giacomo SerpottaMary Magdalene, Giacomo SerpottaVirgin Mary, Giacomo SerpottaOur Lady of Sorrows, Giuseppe MilantiSimeon, Andrea SulfarelloJeremiah, Gaspare La FarinaHeart of Jesus, unknown authorJustice, unknown authorPenance, unknown author
The church houses several funeral monuments.