Church of Santa Oliva in Raffadali

raffadali, in the Free Municipal Consortium of Agrigento, is a town that rises 420 meters above sea level and can boast a very ancient history; when in 1507 the village began to take the form of a hamlet, the new village was also built in the Mother Church, Church of Santa Oliva in Raffadali, even if it is said that an even more ancient Church had already existed in that place previously.

The current Mother Church was built between the 1831th and XNUMXth centuries, while XNUMX is the date engraved on the main facade of the building. Dedicated to Santa Oliva, the Mother Church of Raffadali but it is dedicated to Our Lady of the Sick, Patroness of the country: solemn religious celebrations are held here in honor of the patron saint in the month of July.

The Church is today one of the main monuments of the town, a sacred place which also attracts many visitors.

The architecture of the Church of Santa Oliva in Raffadali and what it holds

The Church of Santa Oliva in Raffadali is a building in late Renaissance style. Divided into two orders, it has three wooden portals framed by white marble on the first floor, of which the two lateral ones are surmounted by small square windows, while the central one is larger in size, being the main door. In the second tier, a single large window can be seen. The floor is surmounted by a tympanum with a cross. The volute decorations in white marble characterize the entire main facade.

The building has a Latin cross plan and inside we find three naves, separated by white marble columns and arches.
In the Church you can admire numerous frescoes, in addition to the Roman sarcophagus with the representation of the Rape of Proserpina, the statue of Maria Santissima degli Infermi and an organ with a mobile console from 1927.

What to do in the Church of Santa Oliva in Raffadali

In the Church of Santa Oliva in Raffadali you can participate in Mass, pray with the faithful of the place and admire all the beauties of the Mother Church; a stay in the village will allow you to discover the other monuments of Raffadali, from Prince's Palace al City Palace, from the numerous churches in the center to the small minor religious buildings, up to the abandoned chapels and sacred aedicules found in some streets of the town.

A walk in the ancient Canal district will lead you to the Church of St. John, while in the streets of the village, you can spot five o'clock historic fountains by Raffadali.

Moving away from the centre, you can discover the surroundings of Raffadali, rich in archaeological sites of interest to history and art enthusiasts: the Necropolis of Cozzo Busonè with its legendary mountain, the site of Cozzo Pietrarossa with finds from 4.000 BC the Cave of Colle Palombara and Mount Guastanella.

If you want to go even further, Agrigento can be reached in about 20 minutes by car and the coast is just as close: from the Valley of the Temples to the Cathedral of San Gerlando, from the Church of San Pietro to the Church of SS. Rosario, Agrigento is an extraordinary destination for all lovers of art cities. To rest in nature, in total relaxation, choose instead the most beautiful beaches of the Agrigento coast, such as the Torre Salsa or Punta Bianca Nature Reserve, the Lido Azzurro or the beach of Torre di Monterosso.

On holiday, treat yourself to the best dishes of the local cuisine, discovering the flavors of Agrigento: taste the green pistachios from the Platani Valley, try the busiate with pork ragù, the fish couscous and the octopus salad; for dessert, ask for the hazelnut mousse or try the marzipan.

How to get to the Mother Church of Santa Oliva in Raffadali

The Church of Santa Oliva in Raffadali is located in Via Nazionale n. 99, in the northern part of the country. Reaching Raffadali is simple, both for those arriving by car and for those who prefer to travel by train.

By car:, take the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo, exiting at Castelvetrano and continuing towards Agrigento; on the train, get off at Agrigento Central Station and take the bus or shuttle to the center (about 11 km away).