Santa Maria della Spazimo - dilapidated monastery church in Palermo, where once you could see a picture of Raphael's "Way of the Cross" (also known as the "Sicilian Spazimo" because of its location). The canvas depicting Jesus falling under the weight of the cross, acquired specifically for this church in 1520. Later, the picture has long been privately owned until the Viceroy of Sicily Ferdinando d'Ayala not bought it and gave the Spanish King Philip V. Today the work of the great Raphael can be seen in the Prado Museum in Madrid.

The history of the construction of the church of Santa Maria della Spazimo dates back to 1506, when a local lawyer Giacomo Basilico gave the monks from the monastery of Monte Oliveto land in the Palermo district della Kalsa with the proviso that it will be built a temple in honor of the Virgin Suffering. Construction began in 1509 but was never completed. While the residents of the city because of the threat of attack by Turkish troops began to restore and strengthen the protective walls, in particular in 1537 on the territory of the church under construction was laid defensive moat.

But 30 years later the municipality of Palermo bought the land for military purposes, and the monks were forced to leave unfinished abode. However, the plans of the city administration did not come true, and in 1582 the church was used for public performances. Then, inside it was equipped hospital - in the 17th century in Palermo raging epidemic. And later in the walls of the unfinished church housed the warehouse. In the mid-18th century vaults of the central nave of Santa Maria della Spazimo collapsed and have not been restored. For nearly a hundred years - from 1855 to 1985 - the church was used as a hospital and hospice for the poor. And today is a kind of cultural center, which hosts exhibitions, musical and theatrical shows.