Mother Church of Santa Maria del Gesù in Raccuja

The village of Raccuja it boasts an area rich in monuments, in which buildings of a medieval nature alternate with others of a Renaissance nature.

Among the places that you must not miss is the Mother Church of Santa Maria del Gesu, located in the historic center of Raccuja, as well as giving the name to the entire district in which it is located which, precisely, is called "Matrice".

This Church and the Branciforte Castle are among the most important points of interest to admire in this Sicilian medieval village, where you can also find ancient structures, called Tholoi, which will capture your curiosity towards the traditions of this locality located close to the Nebrodi Park.

History of the Mother Church of Santa Maria del Gesù in Raccuja

The Mother Church of Santa Maria del Gesù was built in Five hundred, although the exact year is not known. Many mysteries hover over this building, both as regards its origins and for the rest of its history, which has always been at the center of numerous events that have characterized the Raccuja folklore.

The entire structure was completely redone in the early years of thenineteenth century, which also changed its style. If originally it presented the most common characteristics of themedieval architecture and Renaissance, today it appears, in fact, with more classical, decidedly more modern canons, also due to the modernization carried out at the beginning of the Nine hundred.

Architecture of the Mother Church of Santa Maria del Gesù in Raccuja

The body of the Mother Church of Santa Maria del Gesù is spread over two orders, separated by a frame in which Corinthian columns and capitals pass, decorated with stuccos and high reliefs.

The three sectors of the Mother Church of Santa Maria del Gesù are well defined by his facade, each of which has its own entrance portal, although the main one, located in the center, stands out not only for its more massive dimensions but also for its decorations.

The second order is characterized by one pyramidal style, in which only the central body extends up to the top of the building.
Passing the churchyard you will be able to access directly inside the building, which will show you with its basilica plan, composed of three naves separated by arched columns. The internal colors are soft, showing a particular candor of the decorations.

Le artwork they are among the strengths of the Mother Church of Santa Maria del Gesù, present in large numbers, so much so that you can consider it as a great exhibition of religious art. Among the most important works we mention the marble statues sixteenth-century depicting Santa Maria di Gesù, San Sebastiano Martire and the Annunciation.

How to get to the Mother Church of Santa Maria del Gesù in Raccuja

Being in the historic center of Raccuja, the Mother Church of Santa Maria di Gesù is very easy to reach once you arrive in the city. You can get to Raccuja thanks to the Provincial Road 136, which is also crossed daily by buses Sicilian Transport Company AST.

If you are forced to travel by plane to get to Sicily, you can consider landing at theCatania Fontanarossa Airport, located about 95 km from Raccuja.
Finally, further connections are offered by the capital Messina, 100 km away but still well connected with Raccuja.