Mother Church of Ciminna

La Mother Church of Ciminna, in the province of Palermo, boasts a rather ancient history. However, despite searches, certain documents have never been found regarding its construction.

History of the Mother Church of Ciminna

However, historians hypothesize that the building already existed during the first half of the 1200s since the sources in their possession indicate its presence when the town began to grow and expand. Furthermore, according to tradition, this was initially annexed to a castle. However, the structure was destroyed during the Angevin invasion of 26 June 1326 which devastated the town and the countryside, also setting fire to the fortress.

A few years later, in 1333, at the behest of the lord of Cimmina or Matteo Sclafani, a new palace and a church were built in the same place where the destroyed building previously stood. These were dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
The project of the new church included a high altar facing north and dedicated to Santa Maria Maddalena.
Of this remain today the remains of a crypt in the apse area.

Over the following centuries, the church was rebuilt again following its elevation to a parish. Currently, thanks to the documents found, it is possible to identify the oldest element as the Bell tower dating back to 1519, therefore the rest of the structure was presumably restored or rebuilt in later years.
The last building of the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena it was inspired by Norman constructions and therefore has the same iconographic scheme as the Church of Santo Spirito in Palermo. The façade was damaged by the earthquake of 1693 and subsequently restored with elements that recall the style of Paolo Amato and with a red plaster.

Architecture and works of art kept inside the Mother Church of Santa Maria Maddalena di Ciminna

As regards the interior, the Mother Church of Ciminna has three naves separated by pillars and a wooden roof. The apsidal basin is surrounded by columns decorated with flutes. These delimit niches containing the statues representing the twelve apostles. The back niche instead houses the statue of Mary Magdalene.
The Church also preserves various works of inestimable historical and artistic value such as the stone arch of the chapel of Santi Simone e Taddeo dating back to 1500, a wooden crucifix also from 1550, decorative stuccos from 1622 made by Scipione Li Volsi da Tusa inspired by the Cathedral of Palermo and canvases by Vincenzo La Barbera depicting the Delivery of the keys to St. Peter and the Dormitio Virginis. Among the most important paintings it is also possible to mention that of Girolamo Gerardi depicting Santa Rosalia from 1626 and that of Pietro Novelli depicting the Exaltation of the Name of Jesus.

Inside the Chapel of Sant'Andrea there are the imposing sarcophagi of the Tantillo family and the processional fercolo of Sant'Antonio Abate.
Finally, inside the church there are splendid furnishings dating back to the 1600s such as the carved choir stalls by Francesco Amari and Giuseppe Dattolino.

What to do around the Mother Church of Santa Maria Maddalena di Ciminna

The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena di Ciminna is located in the historic center of the town, therefore in the immediate vicinity there are squares, monuments and points of interest. More specifically, near the Church it is also possible to admire the Church of St. John the Baptist , Church of San Francesco d'Assisi.
The town is also within easy reach of Palermo, Cefalù and other very interesting villages on the northern coast of Sicily.

How to reach Ciminna

It is possible to reach the Mother Church of Ciminna from the main urban centers of the island. More specifically, starting from Palermo by car it is necessary to take the E90 for 5,6 km and then take the SS121 towards Villafrati for 24 km, after which continue on the SR18 and the SP33 towards Ciminna.

Starting from Catania it is necessary to take the A19 motorway in the direction of Palermo up to the Resuttano exit and then continue on the SS121 in the direction of Ciminna.

Starting from Messina it is necessary to take the A20/E90 motorway to the Trebbia exit and then continue on the SS113 towards Ciminna.

© Image by Stendhal55, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons