The mother church built in 1862-81, in neoclassical style with three naves. Frescoed with paintings in 1954, and recently restored after the damage received from the 1968 earthquake.
A church already existed in the castle, built by the Jesuits. But as it was insufficient for the increased number of people and was unsafe, in 1832 the church was moved to a larger room. The new church was dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. From 1862 to 1881 the archpriest Fr. Giuseppe D'Alessandro was interested in building the current church, with the collaboration of the population. He obtained a warehouse from the Prince of Camporeale and bought three houses. Until 1875 the church also served as a cemetery. The covering of the naves and the large dome were fake vaults made of cane fabric and bricks cemented with plaster. In 1931, thanks to the interest of the parish priest Don Leonardo Pisciotta, the works were carried out in the church: high altar in white marble, steps and walls in marble, ambo and vault with a canvas painting depicting the miracle of St. Anthony which is found now in the side nave. The church has three naves in neoclassical style. On the right, the bell tower rises to 25 m and is surmounted by a pyramid. Inside the church, the Crucifix, formerly the property of the Jesuits, dominates majestically. At the foot of the cross is written “1858”. This year also appears above, behind the head of the Crucifix, in a silver plate, simulating a halo, with the writing "Donata al SS. Crucified at his own expense by Mr. Alberto Pollari 1858”. There are many statues that have been created: the wooden statue of San Francesco da Paola, a marble relief depicting San Calcedonio, the statue of Sant'Antonio da Padova, of the Madonna dei Miracoli, San Giuseppe (in wood) , The Immaculate Conception (in plaster), the Annunciation, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Lucia, the Sacred Heart, St. Rita, the Addolorata and the Dead Christ. In the 1950s the vault and dome were restored and adorned with images depicting the Assumption, St. Dominic Savio, St. Maria Goretti, St. John Bosco and the four evangelists and the major and minor prophets. Wikipedia source
Translated by Google •
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