Church of San Benedetto alla Badia in Caccamo

La Church of San Benedetto alla Badia it is found at Caccamo, in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, in a town where about 7.700 inhabitants live at 520 meters above sea level Here, between Cathedral of San Giorgio Martire , Church of the Santissima Annunziata, there are many ancient sacred buildings, such as the Church of San Benedetto alla Badia.

The Church was built in 1615 and the complex also houses the building of the Monastery of Santa Maria della Mensa of the Order of the Benedictines, dating back to 1572. Both buildings are examples of architecture and sacred art of the centuries between the 1748th and XNUMXth: the works for the construction of the large complex ended in fact only in XNUMX.

November 29, 1614 is remembered in the chronicles of the time for the apparition of the Madonna inside the Church of San Benedetto alla Badia, while today the Church is one of the most beautiful in Caccamo and undoubtedly the most visited, thanks above all to the presence of the magnificent eighteenth-century majolica, which makes this church a truly unique jewel.

The architecture of the Church of San Benedetto alla Badia and the works it houses

The Church of San Benedetto alla Badia is presented as a building of Baroque style, with the main portal in white stone slabs. On the portal of the Church there is a single wooden door, inserted in a large frame formed by pilasters and a pediment. Furthermore, here is the coat of arms of the Benedictine Order and the date of completion of the works, which marks the date of birth of the Church of San Benedetto alla Badia.

The highest part of the portal is characterized by two openings above the door, equipped with an iron balustrade, while in the upper order we can see three blind single-lancet windows or large niches, each surmounted by a rectangular window with a grid roof. On the sides of the façade, two brick pilasters rise along the sides of the façade, almost up to the top of the building, dominated by the Cross.

Upon entering, the sacred building is made up of a single room, the nave, and the area of ​​the High Altar, which was one of the chapels of the Monastery.

The Church, among the most beautiful in the country, houses several works of art, but what leaves everyone breathless is undoubtedly the magnificent majolica composed of 10.000 tiles that make up an allegorical representation: we won't reveal the stories told by this wonderful work of art, so as not to spoil the surprise effect, but we can tell you that you will also find many animals represented.

What to do at the Church of San Benedetto alla Badia and in the surroundings

The Church of San Benedetto alla Badia, with its famous majolica, is the most loved attraction of Caccamo, but it is not the only marvel of the town: the Medieval castle it stands perched at over 500 meters above sea level and is one of the strongholds that has best been able to resist the passage of time, not only in Sicily, but throughout Italy. For history buffs, we recommend entering and also visiting the inside of the fortress; even older is the Pizzarrone Tower, placed to defend the medieval city since the XNUMXth century.

Among the other historic buildings to admire in the village, there is the Cathedral of San Giorgio Martire, a wonderful example of XNUMXth century sacred architecture, even if its origins are even older. The Cathedral rises in the homonymous and picturesque square. There Church of the Santissima Annunziata, built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, is known for its two bell towers, but it also holds incredible treasures inside. There are also many other churches in the centre, such as the Church of the Holy Apostles Philip and James or the Church of Santa Barbara, whose peculiarity is that it is located inside the Torre Pizzarrone.

Caccamo is located just 12 km from Rosamarina lake and about 21 km from beaches of Torre Mandra. Among the beauties of the surroundings, you will find the Trabia Castle overlooking the sea, while with about an hour's journey along the coast, you will reach the beautiful city of Palermo.

How is it possible to get to the Church of San Benedetto alla Badia

Caccamo, in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, is easily accessible in the car, via the A19 Palermo-Catania, both from the Termini Imerese exit and from the Trabia exit; on the train, the closest station to the town is Termini Imerese, where you will find buses and shuttles going to Caccamo.