St. Peter's Basilica in Riposto

La Saint Peter Basilica was decreed mother church of Riposto. It is a beautiful structure built in the early nineteenth century which has become over the centuries a point of reference for all the faithful of the area but also for those who are passionate about art and want to discover the works of art kept in its internal.

Curious to know more? Here is all the information you need to get there Mother Basilica of San Pietro in Riposto.

The history of the Basilica of San Pietro in Riposto

The first stone of the Basilica Matrice San Pietro in Riposto was laid on 22 August 1808, at the behest of Ferdinand III, King of Sicily. On 8 December 1818 the church was consecrated and later, on Christmas night of the same year, it was opened to the public for the most important solemn function of the year.

However, for its complete completion we have to wait for 1841, when the municipal administration of Riposto manifested its intention to complete the work and in 1842 it obtained the go-ahead from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Only a few years later, however, the works actually began and led to the completion of the transept in 1851 and the completion of the main facade in white stone, in 1872. Finally, its consecration as a Basilica took place on 5 June 1967 on the initiative of monsignor Pasquale Bacile, bishop of Acireale: the request was accepted and granted by Pope Paul VI who took advantage of the nineteenth centenary of the martyrdom of St. Peter to decree it a minor basilica, given that it was dedicated to the apostle of Christ.

The architecture and any works of art present in the Basilica of San Pietro in Riposto

The original project foresaw the placement of nine statues representing the main figures of the Catholic church on the main facade, but it was never completed and only five were installed in 2010.

The facade is blatantly inspired by that of San Giovanni in Laterano which is located in Rome. Inside, however, the Basilica of San Pietro a Riposto is in neoclassical style, has a Latin cross plan and three naves. Inside you can view works of great value, such as the baptistery and the baptismal font located in the central nave.
In the second span, however, there is a beautiful painting depicting San Gregorio and which was made in the early nineteenth century by Giuseppe Zacco.
Also noteworthy is the pulpit, made entirely of wood in 1892 to a design by the Milanese artist Carlo Sada. The main altar is made entirely of marble and walnut wood and is a work of the second half of the nineteenth century.

What you can do around the Basilica of San Pietro in Riposto

In Riposto there is not only the Basilica of San Pietro to admire because in reality the village also hosts other very interesting monuments. For example, the Church of the Madonna della Lettera, in Romanesque style, which hides not only a salt water well in the basement but also some crypts with numerous bones, probably because in the past it had served as a cemetery. Even the seafront certainly represents a place of tourist attraction, with the beach and the many fish restaurants located right on the sea: a nice walk in this area will lead you to the hamlet of Archirafi Tower, a fishing district that still retains a charm of yesteryear.

How is it possible to get to Riposto

Those wishing to reach the village to visit the Basilica in Riposto can do so easily from Catania and Messina with theauto, driving along the A18 and then the E45. Those coming from Trapani, on the other hand, will have to choose the A19 as the reference road and then continue on the E932, the same road that those who come from Palermo follow. Finally, from Syracuse, take the E45 to your destination.

Riposto does not have its own railway station so those who choose this means of transport to reach the village will have to refer to the Giarre-Riposto or Mascali stations, from which they can then continue their journey to their destination with the bus numbers made available by the AST company.