Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Agira

La Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Agira, located about 2 km from the town centre, was built in the Norman era at the behest of the noble Parisio family. Indeed, the structure seems to date back to the period between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, and was initially a place of pagan worship. At the end of the XNUMXth century it was elevated to a collegiate church, therefore it enjoys the right to request processions, decide their starting point and route. Its rather ancient history has made this the oldest church in Agira.

Architecture and works of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore Agira

As regards architecture, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Agira has two naves divided by four columns. The latter are surmounted by pointed arches and Romanesque capitals. The altar of the Madonna, made of marble, is located at the bottom of the right aisle. Here there is also a polychrome wooden statue depicting San Bartolomeo. This was built between the late 1500s and early 1600s.
In the chapel located to the left of the main nave, there is a painted cross dating back to the 1400s. Both sides are decorated with representations of the Crucifixion, the Resurrection and with symbols attributable to the four evangelists.
At the end of the 1600s, more precisely in 1689, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Agira was named a parish and elevated in rank, becoming in all respects a Collegiate church.
The walls of this church preserve various works of enormous artistic and religious importance such as an enchanting statue of the Madonna della Catena, made of polychrome alabaster and a painting depicting San Nicola. Not only that, inside the church it is also possible to admire a two-faced Crucifix presumably made at the school of the master of the Cross located in Piazza Armerina.

What to do near the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Agira

As mentioned above, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Agira is located a short distance from the town centre. For this reason, this is located in the immediate vicinity of monuments, places of historical interest, squares, religious and civil buildings.
More specifically, about 600 meters from the entrance to the church there is the imposing Medieval Castle. Also known by the name of Agira Castle, is located on the top of Mount Teja (or Mount Castello) and is one of tallest castles of all Sicily.
Not only that, in the center of the town it is also possible to visit the splendid Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova, Royal Abbey Church of San Filippo d'Agira, Church of Santa Maria di Gesù and convent of the Order of Reformed Friars Minor and the Canadian military cemetery of Agira. Not only that, Inside the Church of the Holy Saviour it is also possible to admire a Jewish Aron in stone, the oldest in Europe, dating back to 1454.

How to get to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore Agira

It is possible to reach the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Agira starting from the main cities. In particular, those leaving from Palermo by car you will have to take the A19 Palermo-Catania towards SS121 for 105 km and then continue on the SS121 towards Agira for 53 km. From Catania it is necessary to take the A19 Palermo-Catania in the direction of the SP21 for 50 km and then continue on the SP21 in the direction of Agira for 16 km. Finally, starting from Enna it is necessary to take the SS121 and follow it for about 18 km, then take the SP33 for 2 km and follow the SS121 towards Agira for 11 km.

In bus numbers, instead, from Palermo, it is necessary to take the means of the Sais Autolinee bus lines up to Catania and then continue with the buses of the Interbus company up to Agira. The journey lasts approximately 4 and a half hours. While, starting from Catania instead, it is possible to take advantage of the trips of the Interbus company. The journey lasts about an hour and a half.

You can reach Agira also on the train, the stations of Caltanissetta Centrale and Sant'Agata di Militello are approximately 45 kilometers away.