Mother Church of Belmonte Mezzagno

La Church of the Most Holy Crucifix and the Mother Church of Belmonte Mezzagno, the municipality of almost 11.000 inhabitants in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, just a few kilometers from the city and the sea.

The history of the Mother Church in Belmonte Mezzagno begins in 1752, when the first stone of the building was laid. Just four years later, the impressive 200-square-foot building was complete, ready to be opened to the faithful.

The consecration to the Holy Crucifix, however, takes place about 250 years later, on October 29, 2016.

Many of the beauties that can be admired in the Mother Church of Belmonte Mezzagno are due to the will of Massimo Giuseppe Emanuele Ventimiglia, whose family crest dominates above the entrance portal of the Church.

The architecture of the Mother Church of Belmonte Mezzagno and the works it houses

About 30 meters high, the Mother Church in Belmonte Mezzagno is exactly what can be defined as an imposing building. The look barocco of the facade is found not so much in the earthy colors that characterize the prospectus, as in the structural decorations that stand out from the wall, in great abundance: the balustrade that leads to the entrance, the door surmounted by the coat of arms of the Ventimiglia, the rectangular windows and the framed mullioned windows, the pinnacles and the tympanum, make the facade extremely rich.

Upon entering, we encounter a single nave, where the highlight of the artistic collection kept in the Church is represented by the wooden Crucifix, dated 1772 and created by Massimo Giuseppe Emanuele Ventimiglia.

What to do at the Mother Church of Belmonte Mezzagno and in the surroundings

In front of the Mother Church in Belmonte Mezzagno, it seems to observe an eighteenth-century villa, but looking closer, it is clear that it is a Church: the great richness of the decorations is distributed with balance and in addition to the coat of arms, on the main facade of the building we can note four bells hidden behind the mullioned windows of the upper order. And so, as visitors, the most interesting choice is to enter the Church, both to admire its beauty and to gather in intimate moments of prayer.

La visit to Belmonte Mezzagno can then continue from Piazza Garibaldi, where the Church is located, in the historic centre: here, among bars and accommodation facilities, you will also find the Church of the Holy Souls of Purgatory, While the Chapel of the Rosary it is located on the western outskirts of the borough. Another cult building in Belmonte Mezzagno is the Church of the Madonna dei Poveri, built in the thirties of the last century.

In Piazza Tenente Chinnici you can admire the ancient watering place of the town, built in 1902, waiting to be able to visit the Water Museum, at the Stagnone.

In the village there is the Villa Comunale, to spend a quick moment of relaxation outdoors at Mother Teresa Villa of Calcutta, while for outdoor walks, you can reach several famous destinations in the area, such as theAnthro Scala dei Muli, Cave of the lakes o Well Flanders.

To the great artistic and landscape richness of Belmonte Mezzagno, the riches of the table are added: i typical dishes in these parts are the cutlets in vinegar and the mussels au gratin, the swordfish rolls and the murata meat. Even the desserts are the classic ones of the Sicilian tradition, from the cannoli to the cassata, up to the cream puffs with ricotta.

After a break at the table, you will be ready to set off to discover the surroundings: you can reach from Belmonte Mezzagno Santa Cristina of Gela, to admire the Chiesa Maggiore, or the lake of Piana degli Albanesi, for a walk in the open air; the Serre della Pizzuta Oriented Nature Reserve is also very close, where you can visit the Grotta del Garrone.

If instead you prefer to visit a great city of art, Palermo it is really close, just 20 km away: here the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Church of the Martorana and the Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri await you, some of the most beautiful monuments in our country.

How is it possible to get to the Mother Church of Belmonte Mezzagno

Belmonte Mezzagno, in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, can be easily reached by car, from the exit towards Palermo of the A19 Palermo-Catania; on the train, arriving in the village is simple from the Guadagna station in Palermo, where visitors will find buses and shuttles to take them to the centre, just 5 km away.