Church of San Giovanni Battista in Villafranca Sicula

One of the most significant monuments of Villafranca Sicula and the Church of St. John the Baptist which, together with that of Carmine, is one of the oldest in the village. Given its history as well as its architecture, it is worth organizing a trip to this area of ​​Sicily to be able to admire it: here is all the information that can be useful for visiting it.

History of the Church of San Giovanni Battista in Villafranca Sicula

The history of the church of San Giovanni Battista begins in 1580 when, by will of Prince Francesco Alliata, the first stone was laid. The position of the church was not accidental: next to the land chosen for the building, in fact, there was a Franciscan convent who was then entrusted with the management of the new place of worship.

Over the centuries the church will always remain active, even if its importance was soon overtaken by the subsequent one church of the Madonna del Mirto, which became the main one of the village. In the XNUMXs, as the church had various problems related to the non-existent maintenance over the years, a massive restoration was decided and then carried out which particularly concerned the roof, the main external facade as well as all the internal and external finishes of the church.

The architecture and any works of art present in the Church of San Giovanni Battista in Villafranca Sicula

The style of the church is typical barocco. Its rectangular plan is striking, with a single central nave and a rectangular apse which is surmounted by a barrel vault made of live masonry, like the rest of the church. The interiors are decorated in a very simple way, even if some beautiful paintings are inserted inside the niches that are located along the single nave.
Finally, a white marble pulpit which is located to the left of the liturgical area catches your attention. Even the external facade is characterized by a certain basicity: it has a gabled structure, with a square-based bell tower on one of the two sides. The main element of the facade is the entrance door, in solid wood, flanked by two thin twisted columns. The door is inlaid with abstract decorative motifs.

What is possible to do in the surroundings of the church of San Giovanni Battista in Villafranca Sicula

The village of Villafranca Sicula also offers the visitor many other monuments that represent a notable attraction. It has already been mentioned Carmelite church which has an even older history than that of John the Baptist, given that it was built in the sixteenth century. The other place of worship much appreciated by visitors is the church of the Madonna del Mirto, patron saint of Villafranca Sicula, which has a long history between legend and reality and is the starting point of the processions dedicated to the Madonna.

Following the example of many other southern villages, Villafranca Sicula also wanted to embellish the alleys of its historic center with colorful murals which tell the main traditions of this land: the largest and most beautiful were created in 1991 by a native artist of the village, Giovanni Smeraldi.

How to get to Villafranca Sicula

The easiest way to get to Villafranca Sicula is to take theauto.

From Palermo it is possible to reach the town via the SS624 while from Agrigento the reference road is the SS115. Those coming from Catania will have to take the A19 first and then continue on the SS640 while those coming from Syracuse will always have to take the A19 but then continue on the E932 to their destination.

The location can also be reached by train but the reference stations in this case are those of Acquaviva and Cammarata San Giovanni Gemini from which, then, we continue up to Villafranca Sicula with the bus locals.