Viagrande

The town of Viagrande (8,008 inhabitants) rises in a hilly area at 410 meters above sea level. The first mention of Villalori and Vilardi, the two hamlets that then occupied the site of modern day Viagrande, (today Viscalori and Velardi) refers to 1124, the year in which the first small church was built in the area. From the 12th century the two separate hamlets, inhabited by people from Catania and Acireale showed signs of slow but constant growth despite this being dramatically interrupted by the 1408 eruption which severely damaged the rural economy.
More than a century later the two hamlets merged at the crossroads between via Regia, the old road connecting Catania to Messina, and an important mule track leading to the sea by way of Aci Sant’Antonio, Aci Catena and Acireale.

The Mother Church of Viagrande had already been built near this crossroads by 1574 and dedicated to the Madonna dell’Idria. However, it was totally destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 1693. Rebuilding started immediately but was soon interrupted by discussions about where it should be built. In the end the new church was built where it can now be seen in Piazza San Mauro. By the end of the 16th century, Viagrande was a well-defined settlement conserving its role of small agricultural town for the following two centuries.

The particular feature of the old town centre is the quantity of lava stone that was used to build the roads as well as the houses. There are a number of
Baroque palaces and numerous noble villas which sprang up between the 18th century and 19th century. The Mother Church, dedicated to the Madonna dell’Idria and built at the beginning of the 1700s, is of great interest. This imposing structure dominates Piazza San Mauro in the town centre. The main facade is divided into three sections defined by four lava stone pilasters, each section containing a portal leading to the three naves of the basilica-like interior. The interior is decorated with stuccowork and has beautiful altars. The church of St. Biagio is to be found in the square of the same name in the Viscalori quarter. It dates back to the 16th century and was rebuilt at the end of the 1700s after being damaged in the 1693 earthquake. It has an oval layoutwith an apsidal presbytery and rises above a wide stairway. The church of St. Caterina, in via Garibaldi, was built in the 18th century although a church dedicated to St. Caterina already existed in 1633. The present church has a rectangular layout and semicircular apse.

Viagrande is also known for the excellent quality of its wine.

Courtesy of the Provincia Regionale di Catania