Mother Church in Motta Sant'Anastasia

Motta Sant'Anastasia, ancient center of the Simeto Valley in the Metropolitan City of Catania, is populated by a community of about 12 people, mainly of the Catholic faith, who meet and find their roots in the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario, which is the Mother Church of the village.

La Mother Church in Motta Sant'Anastasia sees its main nucleus rise in the thirteenth century, and then expand during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, being completed in the eighteenth century with the addition of the bell tower.

The works of art that are visible inside, are dated from the sixteenth century and among these, you can find unique pieces made by the School of Antonello da Messina.

The architecture of the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario in Motta Sant'Anastasia

The Church has a Latin cross plan. The main facade is divided into two orders: in the first we find the main door, while the second order is distinguished by the total stone cladding and the oval window overlooking the door. Next to it stands the bell tower, with the tower characterized by overlapping single-lancet windows and a lava stone base.

The interior of the Church, with soft colors, is characterized by the decorations of Baroque style; from a structural point of view, there are two elements that capture the observer's attention, prompting him to look up: the two large domes, between the entrance and the apse, which overlook the central body of the church with a vaulted roof .

What to do at the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario in Motta Sant'Anastasia

The Mother Church in Motta Sant'Anastasia is the perfect starting point from which to start a tour to discover the centre: visitors can participate in the Mass, and then discover all the beauties of the Church, before continuing their visit to the town.

The village is enchanting, dotted with monuments that recall the past of the municipality: from Motta Tower Castle visitable, a wonderful attraction for those traveling with children, from Church of Our Lady Immaculate at a simple walk in the medieval village, in Motta Sant'Anastasia every traveler will find relaxation, interesting ideas and monuments to discover, as well as excellent food on the table.

In Motta you eat delicious grilled meat, but on the occasion of medieval festival you can also try soups, couscous and traditional desserts. The cuisine of Catania stands out for its offer of street food, such as arancino, chives and bolognese, but also for dishes such as pasta alla Norma or eggplant parmigiana; as a dessert, you will of course find the Sicilian cannolo with pistachio grain, the cassatelle di Sant'Agata and the granita.

After having tasted the delights of the table, continue your tour around Motta Sant'Anastasia: in about an hour, you can reach theEtna, one of the most famous and important natural beauties of the island, where you will find the cable car thanks to which you can admire breathtaking views, but also the Etnaland park, the water park for those traveling with children; Catania is just 14 km from the village and in the blink of an eye you can also admire the Cathedral of Sant'Agata or the Ursino Castle; if you love the sea, in addition to visiting the beautiful beaches of the Ionian coast near Catania, we recommend that you also reach the Lido dei Ciclopi, just 25,5 km north along the coast.

How to get to Motta Sant'Anastasia

Motta Sant'Anastasia, a town of about 12.000 inhabitants in the Metropolitan City of Catania, can be easily reached by car or train.

If you prefer to travel in the car, take the A19 Palermo-Catania and take the exit for Motta S. Anastasia, which is located 6 km from the town; alternatively, there is the exit for Catania Centro which will take you to the village in just 7 km.

If you are planning to travel on the train, book a ticket to Catania Central Station, which is 11 km from the town centre: from the station you can reach Motta Sant'Anastasia by bus or private shuttle.