Rebuilding The Renaissance

Episode 388 - Palermo - The Church and Convent of Santa Caterina

Jun 24, 2026

Originally built in the 14^th century, the Dominican church and convent were both renovated in the 16^th century. While the church displays a n almost dizzying example of Sicilian Baroque architecture, the well-preserved convent is instead quite sober and reflects what mosaic life was like for the nuns. The convent is...

Episode 387 - Palermo - The Fountain of Shame (Pretorian Fountain)

Jun 17, 2026

Originally carved in 1554 for the garden of a Spanish nobleman in Florence, the so-called “Fountain of Shame” was dissembled in 644 pieces and transported to Palermo, Sicily, after having been sold to the Senate of Palermo. Situated on the western side of the Dominican church and nunnery of Santa Caterina, the...

Episode 386 - Palermo - Quattro Canti

Jun 10, 2026

The Quattro Canti is a spectacular example of Sicilian Baroque architecture on a grand scale! Marking the entrance to Palermo’s historic district, the Quattro Canti (technically Piazza Vigliena) is a large octagonal piazza laid out in the early 17th century, four side of which are occupied by Baroque facades....

Episode 385 - Palermo - The Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (La Martorana)

Jun 3, 2026

Construction on the church of Sant Maria dell’Ammiraglio in Palermo, Italy, began in 1143 CE under the patronage of George of Antioch, admiral of King Roger II’s navy, from which the church gets its name. The church preserves an extraordinary collection of 12th-century mosaics, the two most important of which are...