Commissioned by a group of weavers through Jean Valdor, an engraver and art dealer.
The series of eight large Flemish tapestries from Brussels, which were once kept in the church, are renowned. After undergoing extensive restoration they have been on display in the Museo degli Arazzi since 1984 (entrance from the rear of the church, near the main apse). The tapestries, which were woven around 1565-70, deal with themes from the Jewish War which ended with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D.: first tapestry: Josephus Flavius, defender of Giopata, leaves the grotto where he has sought refuge after the conquest of the city by Vespasian. second tapestry: Agrippa, King of Tiberia, goes to Vespasian to speak in favor of his city. third tapestry: Vespasian is named Emperor by the soldiers after the death of Nero. fourth tapestry: The Emperor Vespasian receives a gift from the Syrian king. fifth tapestry: Vespasian has Josephus Flavius set free from his chains. sixth tapestry: fight between the Roman Priscus and the Jew Jonas. seventh tapestry: Titus, the son of Vespasian, receives an important present: two candle-stands and the Holy Scriptures for the resumption of services in the temple of Jerusalem. eighth tapestry: Titus brings a sacrifice to Jahve, the God of the Jews.
These sumptious tapestries were originally in the possession of the Archbishop Antonio Lombardo of Messina, who was born in Marsala and who twice visited Madrid as a member of a diplomatic mission and received them as gifts from King Philip II. He bequeathed them to the city of his birth, Marsala, in the Chiesa Madre of which he was buried in 1596.
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FIRST TAPESTRYGiuseppe Flavio, defender of Giodapata, exits from the cove where it had been sheltered, after the fall she city to work of Vespasiano.
SECOND TAPESTRYAgrippa, king of Tiberiade, perora the cause of the threatened city of destruction of forehead to Vespasiano.
THIRD TAPESTRY – Vespasianois induced to accept the nomination to emperor decretatagli from the soldiers to the dead women of Nerone.
FOURTH TAPESTRY – Vespasianoemperor receives the homage of the governor of Syria.
FIFTH TAPESTRY – Vespasianomakes to free Giuseppe Flavio from the chains
SIXTH TAPESTRY – Combat between the giudeo Gionata and the Prisco Roman
SEVENTH TAPESTRY – theclergyman Jesus di Nabuth offers to Tito, son of Vespasiano, two candlesticks and the sacred book for the resumption of the cult in the tempio of Gerusalemme.
EIGHT TAPESTRY – Sacrifice of Tito to Javeh, God of the Giudei
