Basilica of San Focà

Among the most important cultural sites of Priolo Gargallo, a town north of Syracuse, there is the early Christian basilica of San Focà. Discovered by Paolo Orsi, the construction of the church dates back to the fourth century BC. It is dedicated to the saint Focà, patron saint of sailors, also called “the gardener martyr” because he was a gardener of a Black Sea’ city who lived between the I and II century.

The church was originally with three naves separated by thick walls with arches. Today the structure is virtually unchanged, except the north aisle and vaulted ceilings (replaced by wooden roof) collapsed in the earthquake of 1693.