Santa Maria dello, Spasimo – dilapidated monastery Church in Palermo, where once it was possible to see a picture of Raphael's way of the cross" (also known as "the Sicilian Spasimo" because of its location). The painting depicting the fall of Jesus under the weight of the cross, purchased specifically for this Church in 1520. Later, the picture has long been privately owned, while the Viceroy of Sicily Ferdinando d Ayala't bought it and gave it to the Spanish king Philip V. Today the creation of the great Raphael can be seen in the Prado Museum in Madrid.

The history of the construction of the Church of Santa Maria dello, Spasimo dates back to 1506, when local lawyer Giacomo Basilico gave to the monks from the monastery of Monte Oliveto land in Palermo, the Kalsa district with the condition that there would be erected a temple in honor of the Suffering of the virgin. Construction began in 1509, but was never completed. At that time the inhabitants of the city because of the threat of attack by Turkish troops began to restore and strengthen the protective wall, in particular in 1537 at the construction site of the Church was laid moat.

And 30 years later the municipality of Palermo bought this land for military needs, and the monks were forced to leave unfinished abode. However, the plans of the city administration did not come true, and since 1582, the Church was used for public performances. Then, inside was a sickbay in the 17th century in Palermo was raging epidemic. And later in the walls of the unfinished Church was occupied by a warehouse. In the mid-18th century vaults of the Central nave of Santa Maria dello, Spasimo collapsed and were never restored. For almost a hundred years – from 1855 to 1985 the Church was used as a hospital and shelter for the poor. And today is a cultural centre that hosts exhibitions, musical and theatrical shows.