Church of St. Maria del Suffragio

The church of St. Maria del Suffragio stands in the district called “Quartiere dei Morti” (District of the Dead). Its name derives from the people subjected to the plague who lived here. In the past, since many fishers, crafters and traders lived here, it was the economic centre of Acireale and of the little seafaring town, Santa Maria La Scala.

The church, built in the first half of the Seventeenth century, was open to the public in 1638. And, after the earthquake that stroke Eastern Sicily in 1693, it was restored in Eighteenth century style.

The main prospect is realized with Siracusa white stone and has two different architectural styles: doric and ionic ones. From a big portal framed with a doric arc you will enter the single nave. The vault is decorated with a fresco by Paolo Vasta, entitled “Il trionfo della Mensa Eucaristica” (The triumph of the Eucharistic table), depicting Christ sacrifice for the salvation of men. Further, it hosts great sacred art works, such as the canvas by Matteo Ragonisi “La strage degli innocenti” (The slaughter of the innocents) and the wooden statue of the Madonna del Suffragio.