Basilica of Saint Sebastian

Churches, Culture
Piazza Leonardo Vigo - 95024 Acireale
095 601313

Daily from 9.30 to 12.30 / from 16.00 to 19.30

Disabled access
Bookshop

Museum full ticket: € 1,00

The Basilica of Saint Sebastian was built around 1609 to accommodate in a largest place of worship the community of faithful. The front, because of the heavy damage reported from the basilica following the earthquake that hit eastern Sicily in 1693, was rebuilt in the early eighteenth century.

The facade with white Siracusa stone columns, pilasters and carved cornices, is in Baroque style. The impressive facade is preceded by a balustrade of ten statues representing figures of the Old Testament.
Bronze panels on which are carved evangelical scenes adorn the iron century portal which leads to the church. It consists of three Latin cross naves adorned with marble flooring, beautiful frescoes, marble altar and paintings depicting the life of St. Sebastian.

To the right of the transept is the altar, on which a three-door houses the simulacrum of the Saint, carried in procession on January the 20th.

Worth a visit to the Basilica Museum, located next to the sacristy, in the right side. It is a fascinating place that guards the silver and gold sacred treasure.

The richness of the baroque decorations, whose friezes, gargoyles and cherubs with garlands of flowers and fruits adorn the front of the basilica, has enabled the basilica to be declared by UNESCO “Monument Messenger of a Culture of Peace”.