Church of Santa Maria Immacolata in Belpasso

Church of Santa Maria Immacolata in Belpasso: history of the place and architecture

The church of Santa Maria Immacolata in Belpasso is dedicated to Mary Most Holy Immaculate and rises in Piazza Duomo. It was built in 1700 following the project of theBellia architect. Although it is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the religious cult that is most practiced is that linked to Saint Luciapatroness of the city. Her relics and her simulacrum have been housed in a chapel dedicated to her, located in the mother church of Belpasso. The chapel is said Cammaredda, and was obtained from a niche embellished with red damask and gilded stucco. It is not immediately visible, as it is veiled by the door of the angels, on whose surface the most important moments of the life of Saint Lucia, including his martyrdom.
The church of Santa Maria Immacolata in Belpasso is very similar, from an architectural point of view, to the churches in the area built in the same period. The facade has a rectangular elevation, three bays and four pilasters which support the upper part of the church. The bell tower is in Baroque style, inside which seven bells have been placed, among which the most famous is the Campanone di Santa Lucia. The basilica layout develops over three naves, divided by arches and sturdy pillars, inside which most of the city's works of art are conserved.

Church of Santa Maria Immacolata in Belpasso: works of art

Inside the church of Santa Maria Immacolata in Belpasso the Crucified Christ, a work of art dating back to 1600, donated by the church of Phenicia Moncada. An excellently crafted painting that represents Christ with his head bowed to the right, his feet crossed and the cloth band knotted on his side. A very harmonious representation full of details, both as regards the reconstruction of the chest and the attention with which the muscles and arms have been reproduced.
The wooden crucifix, also dating back to the early 600s, is a remarkable wooden work from the chapel of the Brotherhood of the Flagellants of Ancient Malpasso.
Another important canvas is the Pala altar with the Our Lady of the Rosary. A very detailed work from the XNUMXth century donated by Mother Church of Malpasso which represents the Madonna being crowned by two little angels. The scene shows the moment the rosary is handed over to San Domenico and in the meantime Jesus give a crown to Saint Catherine of Siena. The painting is then completed by several little angels spinning and one below carrying a bundle of roses.
Among the vaults of the Church of Santa Maria Immacolata in Belpasso we find many other works of art of notable workmanship, including the Immaculate by Francesco Vaccaro, the coronation of the Virgin from the 18th century the Massacre of the Innocents and the Martyrdom of Saint Lucia by Giuseppe Barone.
The simulacrum of Saint Lucia houses the relics of the saint, among these the falangetta della mano which arrived in Malpasso in 1657. The reliquaries are in turn housed in a larger urn reliquary, built between 1729 and 1744. Also visible is a XNUMXth century processional fercolo made with a canopy and six gilded columns in the Corinthian style.
Zeno Lavagna's canvas represents the crucifixion and is an unfinished work of 1886, it is possible to see it only during Lent in the presbytery of the church.
The famous big bell of Santa Lucia weighs about 10000 kg and is the sixth largest bell in Italy. The effigies of the were inlaid on the base'Immaculate Concession and of the martyr Santa Lucia from which it takes its name.

Church of Santa Maria Immacolata in Belpasso: what to do in the surrounding area

As soon as you leave the church there is Piazza Duomo which has a very particular two-tone pavement. Also in the square stands one of the most sumptuous buildings in the city, Scrofani Palace, which shows all its beauty with the characteristic wrought iron balcony.
Other architectural works scattered around Belpasso are: Palace of the Buffalo Barons located in via Roma, the Teatro La Fenice, Public garden inside which is the Monastery of the Reformed Fathers and Palazzo Lombardo.
Even if, in any case, it is pleasant to wander around Belpasso without a halfway since the city is a continuum of different styles and beauties, very different from each other, which change between streets and avenues.

Church of Santa Maria Immacolata in Belpasso: how to get there

Belpasso is located a short distance from Catania, so those arriving in Sicily by plane can reach the city by renting a car at the airport, or by using a convenient bus service that connects Catania to Belpasso.
Those arriving by car from Catania will have to take the ring road and take the 2nd exit for Misterbianco, merge onto the SS 121 Misterbianco-Paternò and exit at Valcorrente.
Those arriving from Messina will have to take the A18 Messina-Catania, exit the toll booth and continue on the ring road. Once you reach the Misterbianco exit, take the SS 121 and exit at Valcorrente.
From Palermo take the A19 Palermo-Catania and exit at Gerbini.