Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Tusa

La Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Tusa and the Mother Church of the small Sicilian municipality in the Metropolitan City of Messina, located along the northern coast of Sicily, a stone's throw from the Madonie Park.

The history of Parish of Santa Maria Assunta it began in the 1538th century, when in XNUMX work began on the construction of a new building of worship, to replace the old Mother Church of the town, which was now inadequate to accommodate all the faithful of Tusa.

The new church was built around Captain's Palace, in the main square of the town, starting from Chapel of Our Lady of Grace, while later other chapels were built which gave life to the entire Church.

The sacred building was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693 and only many years later, in 1736, the rubble was removed and the Church was rebuilt: the works ended in 1778, the year in which the new Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Tusa was consecrated and reopened to the faithful.

The architecture of the Mother Church in Tusa and the works it houses

The Mother Church of Tusa is an imposing, albeit unfinished building.

On the main façade, divided into two orders, one can especially notice the majestic Gothic style portal, which is accessed by a small staircase. On the sides of the portal there are two framed windows decorated with floral motifs. The rose window opens in the upper order.

Separated from the central body, the stone bell tower stands next to the Church, with three orders, blind windows and a belfry with single-lancet windows, from which the bell can be seen.

Inside, the Parish is divided by columns into three naves, with corresponding apses and a transept. The central nave is surmounted by a barrel vault, while on the side naves there are cross vaults.

Along the side aisles there are numerous chapels, while in the basement there is the crypt, initially limited to the area below the choir and then extended to the basement of the side aisles.

In the Church you can admire numerous works of art and sacred furnishings, including wooden statues, canvases with sacred subjects and also the slate painting entitled "The Madonna delle Grazie" attributed to the school of the great Antonello da Messina.

What to do at the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Tusa and in the surroundings

Entering the Parish of Tusa means choosing to dedicate a few moments of your holiday to prayer and reflection, if you decide to visit the Church during Mass time; once the function is over, it is possible to stay in the Parish to observe this majestic building of worship, rich in works of art, among which you can admire the painting of the Madonna delle Grazie, from the school of Antonello da Messina, one of the largest artists of our country.

After discovering all the beauties of the Church, you can dedicate yourself to exploring the small town which, despite its size, offers you countless naturalistic, historical and artistic attractions.

The Parish of Santa Maria Assunta in Tusa is located in the historic center of the town, approximately 614 meters above sea level. Here you can also admire other churches, such as the Church of St. John the Baptist or the Church of San Leonardo, which also houses the Capuchin Convent.

Descending towards the sea, you will find the maritime hamlet of the country, Castle of Tusa. Here in the XNUMXth century the Ventimiglia family built the Castle of San Giorgio, which you can still visit today. The inlets of the coast in the marina of Tusa make the beaches small and welcoming, overlooking clear waters colored by the rocks of the seabed, with an enchanting panorama, which invites you to dive.

A stay in Tusa is the right opportunity to learn about the history and traditions of the town and fully experience the atmosphere of Sicily, also discovering the most genuine foods of the local table: preserves, sweets, cured meats and cheeses can be purchased at the numerous farms, while sweet and sour rabbit and Sicilian rolls are among the dishes to order at the restaurant, to enjoy the traditional flavours.

Although not very close, the wonderful Palermo can be reached in just over an hour's journey and those who have an extra day available, during their stay in Tusa, will be able to visit the regional capital to discover its countless attractions.

How is it possible to get to Tusa

Tusa, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, is located about 140 km from the Strait and 90 km from Palermo. Reaching the town is easy, by car or train.

Who arrives in the car via the A20 Messina-Buonfornello, can take the exit for Tusa and head directly to the centre, while those arriving on the train, can get off at Cefalù station and continue for the next 21 km to the centre, by bus or shuttle.

The Parish of Santa Maria Assunta in Tusa is located in Piazza Mazzini n.11, in front of the Town Hall, in the central-eastern part of the town.