Churches of Catania

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Catania is full of churches!
Right in the historic center , the presence of religious buildings is very high. The “older” churches of Catania are all eighteenth century, all Baroque: a strange thing for those who are unfamiliar with the history of the city.
The explanation is simple, in the history of the city there are two periods: “before” and “after” the earthquake that on January 9, 1693 partly destroyed the city. The next day the calm returned and the population began to search for survivors and to stir the rubble. The architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini was the designer of the new Catania

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Saint Placido Church

Saint Placido’s Church

Churches, Culture

The St. Placido’s Church is placed near the Cathedral. The original structure of this building, that is dated back to 1409 and was built on the ruins of an ancient pagan temple, was completely destroyed by the earthquake in 1693.

To be visited during the celebrations dedicated to St. Agatha.

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Detail of the facade

Saint Agatha’s Cathedral (Duomo)

Churches, Culture

Saint Agatha’s Cathedral takes its name from the “Santuzza” protector of the city, her feast day is on February 5th. With its massive structure, the Cathedral has the characteristic contrast between the gray and white marble it’s used for the decorations.

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The facade

St. Agatha Abbey

Churches, Culture

Next to the Cathedral, overlooking Via Vittorio Emanuele there is the St. Aghata’s Abbey. The Abbey was completed in 1735 and some critics think that this building is the architect Vaccarini’s masterpiece. A jewel realized in Sicilian baroque style.

Visit the terraces of the Abbey to admire the city in a different way.

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Facade of Collegiata church

Collegiata Church

Churches, Culture

It’s one of the oldest churches in the city, in fact, the original structure was probably built in the early centuries AD. After the earthquake in 1693, the Church was destroyed almost all and it was rebuilt by Antonio Amato, who modified it.

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The facade of the church

Church of Saint Aghata in prison

Churches, Culture

It’s located in Piazza Santo Carcere, where, in the centre, flourishes the olive tree that is dedicated to one of the St. Agatha legend’s, to the east of the Spanish bastion (the rest of the Charles V’s walls) a short staircase leads to the Church of Saint Aghata in the Prison.

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Detail of St. Benedict facade

St. Benedict’s Church

Churches, Culture

It’s located at the beginning of via Crociferi, the Saint Benedict’s Church is an example of late baroque architecture in Catania. It was rebuilt immediately after the earthquake in 1693 with the S. Benedict’s arch, that was erected in 1704.

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Saint Giuliano

Saint Giuliano’s Church

Churches, Culture

It’s located in the charming and characteristic via Crociferi, it’s seen by many as the “pearl” of the eighteenth century city’s reconstruction. Although this building is attributed to Vaccarini’skill and was probably built between 1739 and 1751.

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Saint Francesco church

Saint Francesco and Immaculate’s Church

Churches, Culture

The eighteenth-century church of St. Francesco d’Assisi is also known as St. Francesco l’Immacolata. The church hosts great holy art works and it is the “caretaker” of six “candelore”, which goes along the streets during St. Agatha celebrations.

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The church viewed from Piazza Dante

Saint Nicholas’ Church

Churches, Culture

One of the largest in Sicily, St. Nicholas’ Church has a long and troubled history. The original building dates from the late sixteenth century, but before the lava flow in 1669 and then the earthquake in1693 destroyed it completely.

To be visited for admiring the wooden and golden organ and the large sundial.