Church of Santa Margherita in Sommatino

The Church of Santa Margherita in Sommatino, of Catholic worship, is certainly the most interesting religious architectural building to visit, for those arriving in the Sicilian town on holiday or passing through.

The parish overlooks via Giuseppe Gioacchino Belli and belongs to Diocese of Caltanissetta .

Built in 1751, the Mother Church was dedicated to Santa Margherita and immediately elevated to the rank of parish, chosen among the many churches already present in the territory of Sommatino, although these could count on more ancient origins than at least two centuries and contemporary with the founding of the country.

Since the XNUMXth century, the Mother Church has undergone numerous renovations, to arrive at how we see it today, with the large facade overlooking the avenue, the central nave flanked by the bell tower and the interiors, covered in polished marble and rich in furnishings sacred and works of art.

Santa Margherita, the patron saint of pregnant women, was a girl who lived in the XNUMXrd century AD and was martyred for having resisted the court of a pagan, who for this reason denounced her as a Christian at the time of the persecutions.

Architecture and works of art of the Church of Santa Margherita in Sommatino

The first thing you notice about the Church of Santa Margherita, coming from the delightful via Belli, is the large rococo-style pink facade, with the door framed by wall columns. The church is flanked by the bell tower that dominates it.

The Mother Church has a single nave and walking along it from the inside you can admire the marbles that cover the walls with predominantly light and gray tones.

Continuing up to the altar, you come across the main altar dedicated to Santa Barbara, which contains objects that belonged to the Saint and four other altars in honor of the Madonna, San Giuseppe, the Crucifix and Santa Rita.

In the church you can also admire many artwork pictorial, such as the altarpieces of the painter Domenico Provenzani. Among the scenes depicted, the Sacrifice of Isaac, Adam and Eve and Jesus himself. Even the statues that adorn the church are numerous, among which we remember Santa Rita and San Giuseppe with the Child.

What is possible to do in the surroundings of the Church of Santa Margherita in Sommatino

The Church of Santa Margherita in Sommatino is located in the province of Caltanissetta and planning a visit, whether short or longer, to southern Sicily can be the perfect opportunity for a journey full of nuances: from culture to spirituality, from nature to food, Sicily offers a lot to tourists who choose it as a destination.

In Sommatino, after a visit to the Mother Church where you can attend mass, you can also admire the other attractions, such as the Civic Tower, Falcone-Borsellino Urban Park or the Ethnographic Museum of Rural Civilization, for a complete overview of the culture, history and tradition of the place.

La Civic Tower it is part of the complex of Palace of the Prince of Trabia and is visible from all over the surrounding valley, while the Ethnographic Museum is located in Piazza Chinnici and preserves many of the objects that were once commonly used in farmers' lives.
Furthermore, in the village the Municipal Museum of Natural History and Mining Art is managed by the Municipality, in Via delle Fontane. In these parts, the mining heritage has always been precious and the Municipality of Sommatino is also mentioned City of Sulfur Mines, due to the sulfur mines, strongly linked to the history of the area.

In Sommatino there is also the AquaPark , perfect if you are traveling with children, who will be able to have fun in the pool between visits to the most interesting works in the area.

In the village and its surroundings there is no shortage of delicious traditional restaurants, where you can taste the typical foods of the island, but also pizzerias and grill houses, for a quicker, but in any case succulent, culinary break.

The town is located halfway between Enna (about 55 km) and Agrigento (52 km), so it can be chosen as a base for a wider tour, having a few more days of vacation available: from the splendid sea ​​of ​​Porto Empedocle you can enjoy all the relaxation of a beach holiday, while heading towards Enna, you can visit the delightful city that rises to about 930 meters above sea level. Here, in addition to the Cathedral, you can admire beautiful churches, such as the Church of the Holy Souls.

How to get to the Church of Santa Margherita in Sommatino

Sommatino is located in a central position between the hinterland and the sea. You can easily reach it, both in cars in that train , from all the cities of Sicily.

From the A19, Palermo – Catania motorway, take the exit for Caltanissetta and continue the journey for about 25 km, until you reach the center of the town.

By train, there are two main stations to get to Sommatino: Caltanissetta Centrale at 18 km and Agrigento Centrale at 36 km. In both cases, once you get off the train you can take buses or private shuttles at the station, which will take you to your destination.

The Church of Santa Margherita in Sommatino is located in Via Giuseppe Gioacchino Belli n.2.

© Image by David Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0 - David Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons