Mother Church of Camporotondo Etneo

Walking through the streets of the historic center of Camporotondo Etneo, a charming municipality in the province of Catania located on the slopes ofEtna, you can admire various structures that tell the history and folklore of this lovely town in the Catania area.
Among the various points of interest, the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, located in the square of the same name, named after the patron saint of the town.

For all Camporotondians it is also known as Mother Church of Camporotondo Etneo, the same one from which the traditional celebrations begin Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot, one of the events that you certainly cannot miss if you are in vacation in Sicily.

History of the Mother Church of Camporotondo Etneo

The origins of the Mother Church of Camporotondo Etneo are, in part, shrouded in mystery, since most of the documents relating to its construction have been lost over time.

However, experts agree that the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate originates from early seventeenth century, probably built by the Reitano family, who at that time were the Marquises of Camporotondo Etneo, following the destruction of the town which occurred with the violent eruption of Etna in 1669, which razed much of the Catania territory to the ground, including "Campurutunnu", as the municipality is still called today in dialect.

The Mother Church of Camporotondo Etnea was, therefore, not only a point of reference for the faithful, but also a symbol of rebirth, a new starting point for what would later become a small Etna jewel.

Architecture of the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Camporotondo Etneo

This building is characterized by details of Sicilian Baroque, one of the cornerstones of the post-calamity Etna rebirth of 1669.
What stands out most about the structure is the lushness entrance portal, adorned with a lava stone frame which recalls, albeit minimally, some elements of the Gothic style.

After admiring the exterior, we advise you to also focus on the details present inside the Mother Church of Camporotondo Etneo, which develops on a rectangular plan which culminates with an apsidal presbytery.

Slightly detached from the building, you can admire the sumptuous bell tower which overlooks the center of the square, enriched by a large clock and, on the top, by a bell tower.

How to get to the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Camporotondo Etneo

Given the small size of Camporotondo Etneo, once you arrive in the town it will be very easy to move to its historic centre, where the Mother Church is located.

The town is well served by the dense Sicilian motorway network, which allows you to reach it starting from any point in Sicily. In particular, those who leave from Catania you can use the links on SS121, while those who leave from Messina will be able to take advantage of the SS114. From these it is possible to cross various junctions which lead to many Provincial roads that serve Camporotondo Etneo.

La Belpasso – Camporotondo railway station, also known as Piano Tavola Station, is the closest point to reach this area via regional trains.

If, however, you arrive from further away and are forced to travel by plane, you can land at theCatania Fontanarossa Airport, just 25km away, which connects with several Sicilian bus lines.