The Collegio Massimo dei Gesuiti in Palermo is a former Jesuit institution converted into a library. The entrance is in the former Santa Maria della Grotta Church.
Collegio Massimo dei Gesuiti Palermo
Address, opening times and ticket price
Address: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 413 – Palermo. Admission: Free. Opening times: Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 13:30; Monday and Thursday also 14:30 to 16:30. Closed: Saturday and Sunday.
History and description
The palace dates back to the mid-16th century, when the Jesuits occupied an important place in Palermo’s cultural life. In 1778 it was converted into a library.
The entrance to the Collegio Massimo dei Gesuiti is the portal of the former Santa Maria della Grotta Church. This leads to the courtyard of the building.
The palace itself was quite badly damaged in the Second World War.
In order to build the staircase that leads to the current Sicilian Regional Library, the interior of the church was destroyed. The library has 400,000 works, including precious miniatures.