Mother Church of Adrano

La Mother Church of Maria Santissima Assunta in Adrano is located in Piazza Umberto, adjacent to Via Giuseppe Garibaldi and immediately presents itself as a place of worship that impresses the eye for its majesty; a more in-depth visit also reveals numerous traces of the passage of history in this land, come on Norman conquerors of the year XNUMX, to the Sicilians of the eighteenth century, also testifying to the advent of natural phenomena, such as the earthquake, which the church resisted.

Adrano is located in the Metropolitan City of Catania, in Sicily, and the Church of Maria Ss. Assunta is one of the architectural beauties that can be admired there.

The original church, built in the Norman era, was built near the Defense Tower in Piazza Umberto, according to the use of this people but, over the centuries, there have been numerous renovation and expansion interventions, which have brought the building to its present appearance. Where today you can admire the Mother Church of Adrano, perhaps a smaller and older church once stood, presumably incorporated into the new construction.

Next to the church there is the base of a bell tower, the construction of which began in the last century and which was then demolished at the end of the XNUMXs.

The architecture and works of art of the Mother Church of Adrano

The ancient and original structure of the church was very simple, formed by a single nave and without chapels and apse. Later, towards the end of the XNUMXth century, a first extension was arranged from Duke of Moncada, who had the nave enlarged and two side chapels added, as well as the apse area. Instead, the large brick dome was built in the eighteenth century. Finally, the plan of the church assumed the shape of the Latin cross.

A feature that immediately strikes visitors, even before entering the central nave, is the area that gives access to the church itself: it is in fact made up of three open-air entrances, delimited by columns and lava stone, corresponding to the three internal naves.

On the facade there is the niche that contains the statue of Virgin of the Assumption, to which the church is dedicated.

The facade therefore appears mysterious and fascinating, with a mixture of styles, from the mighty Norman to the most sought after Barocco of some of the friezes.

Inside the sacred building it is possible to admire the colonnade as well as numerous statues, paintings and frescoes by Spanish artists, but also Italian ones, such as the Repentance of Magdalene and The Appearance of Jesus to Blessed Alacoque, by Giuseppe Guzzardi, born in Adrano around the middle of the XNUMXth century.

The scenes represented in the canvases on display are surrounded by splendid gilded frames, while it is also possible to admire wooden works, namely the Cantoria, where the musical instruments of the church are kept, such as the organ.

What to do near the Mother Church of Adrano

Visiting the Church of Maria Ss. Assunta in Adrano is a mandatory stop for art history lovers who are in the province of Catania, and for all the faithful who are in the area. In the church you can participate in mass and then spend some time discovering the architectural and artistic beauties that the sacred building contains, paying particular attention to the outside of the church, which is truly very special.

Adrano, due to the historical importance of its beauties, has been recognized as a City, since President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, In 2019.
In this place rich in art and culture, you can in fact admire many interesting attractions for visitors. To discover them all, the best idea is to program one holiday in Adrano, perhaps starting from the Church of Maria Santissima Assunta, and then continuing with the other beauties of the place: the great Monastery of Santa Lucia, the Church of Ss. Salvatore and the Church of San Pietro, are some of the most beautiful places of worship in the city.

The city's civil architectural heritage is also rich, col Norman Castle, the splendid Solicchiata Castle or Bridge of the Saracens, which are just some of the many sites of historical interest, which can be visited in Adrano. Other places, like the theater or the Villa Comunale, are dedicated to leisure, so as not to give up anything on a holiday in the Sicilian hinterland.

Of course, just a few kilometers away, there is the wonderful sea of ​​Sicily, to relax after having made such a long journey through history.

How to get to the Church of Maria Santissima Assunta in Adrano

In the province of Catania, Adrano can be easily reached by motorway, for those who want to travel by car: take the A18 Messina-Catania with exits at Acireale or Giarre (just under 30 km from the centre), or the A19 Palermo -Catania, exit at Catenanuova or Sferro-Gerbini (less than 20 km from Adrano).

Those who prefer to travel by train can get off at Catania Central Station, and then continue by public bus or private shuttle to their destination, for a distance of about 30 km.

© Image by Clemensfranz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons