Mother Church of Our Lady of Consolation in Mascalucia
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La Mother Church of Our Lady of Consolation, also known as Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, is the most important place of worship of mascalucia.
In addition to being the point of reference for all the faithful of the area, this is one of the most important symbols for the town of Etna, to the point of being among the points of interest that you cannot miss during your holiday in Catania.
The annual celebrations of the celebrations begin from this church Feast of the Patriarch Saint Joseph.
History of the Mother Church of Our Lady of Consolation in Mascalucia
The first historic construction of the Mother Church of Mascalucia it even happened in Twelfth century, although it was titled a St. Nicholas of Bari, who was the patron saint of the city at that time.
Only in 1645, when the feud came under the control of John Andrew Massa, the building changed its name to its current one at the behest of the feudal lord himself, devoted to Our Lady of Consolation, to the point of donating a splendid painting depicting her to the church.
THEeruption of Etna in 1669 and the violent 1693 earthquake they left Mascalucia no escape, so much so that its entire territory was completely razed to the ground, taking the historic Mother Church with it.
The reconstruction work took place in the early years of eighteenth century, giving life to the new building that you can still admire today, with the same original details, to which were added, at the beginning of the Nine hundred, of the extension works that have enlarged its premises.
Architecture of the Madonna della Consolazione Mother Church in Mascalucia
The building of the Mother Church of Our Lady of Consolation has an architecture that recalls the glories of the Sicilian Baroque, in which the white plaster and the darker contrast Lava stone of Etna which alternate along its entire façade.
The entrance portal is also made of lava stone and has many decorations, a recurring feature in most Sicilian Baroque churches. The churchyard is small in size, although it overlooks a larger square.
On the right side of the building is incorporated the bell tower, which flows into a pointed belfry, surrounded by mosaics and Caltagirone ceramics.
The interior of the Mother Church Madonna della Consolazione consists of a plan with three naves, enriched by columns with Corinthian capitals on which rests the barrel vaulted ceiling, on which there are numerous stucco.
Always inside you can admire the altar of the ancient thirteenth-century Mother Church, the last historical testimony of the era prior to the natural disasters that hit the area in Seventeenth century.
How to get to the Mother Church of Our Lady of Consolation in Mascalucia
Being in the historic center of Mascalucia, it will be very easy for you to get to the Mother Church of Our Lady of Consolation.
You can reach Mascalucia in different ways, thanks also to the nearby one Catania, less than 10 km away, where you can find both the Catania Central Railway Station that l 'Catania Fontanarossa Airport.
If you are already in Sicily you can also consider traveling by buses Sicilian Transport Company AST, which will get you to Mascalucia from anywhere on the island.
By car you can travel the Highway 121 , European Route 45 to get to Mascalucia, but also any other route that leads to Catania.
