1 km or .6 miles walking, mostly shaded.

Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of three different but equally enchanting masterpiece works by the great Palermitano sculptor Giacomo Serpotta. Hailed as "one of the greatest European sculptors of the 18th century," and "a meteor in the Sicilian sky," the acclaimed art historian Rudolph Wittkower declared, "The three small oratories in Palermo which he decorated prove him to be the greatest stuccoist that ever lived."

Serpotta was a Baroque sculptor of the sublime who used stucco to transform entire oratories, from floor to ceiling, harmoniously filling them with charming tumbling putti, deeply meaningful religious scenes and allegories, and serene women at their ease, representing the great virtues. His delightful artistry has been beloved for centuries and is still amazing viewers today.

On this tour, we will explore why Serpotta isn’t as well-known as Michelangelo in the English-speaking world. We will delve into the meanings of the tableaux in his signature teatrini (little theaters), the tumultuous context of his life, his artistic techniques and innovations, and the mysteries surrounding him. This will provide you with a deep appreciation of Serpotta, his artistry, and authentic Sicilian cultural heritage.

Our tour guides specialize in storytelling, bringing Serpotta’s masterpieces to life with captivating tales, expert commentary, and audio and visual aids. Because no tour would be complete without touching on layers of history, this one includes the ongoing mystery of the heist of the Caravaggio Nativity from the Oratory of San Lorenzo, and the recent almost miraculous replacement of that missing masterpiece.

Book today and don't miss your chance to experience for yourself the "Dreams made from stucco, woven of white and gold, kept in dark places and sheltered from rain and sun, for weather is the enemy of the material. One must ascend stairs and descend them, enter narrow alleys where clothes snap in the wind, to be rewarded by the vision of laughing and acrobatic creatures, framing serious and dramatic facts, works of faith and mercy, battles of Christians, Turks, and Barbary pirates…" (Excerpt from ‘White Darkness’ by Luca Scarlini).