The Sanctuary of Santa Teresa di Riva

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Santa Teresa di Riva

The history of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Santa Teresa di Riva has been linked since its origins to the history of the city: the original nucleus of the Sanctuary, built in the early sixteenth century as a small chapel of the local noble family, developed hand in hand with the expansion of the village, born from a small rural community and which has now become a municipality with almost 10.000 inhabitants, in the Metropolitan City of Messina.

In these areas, the cult of Santa Maria del Carmelo spread starting from the end of the XNUMXth century, as evidenced by the sacred painting of Virgin of Carmel, dated 1594, which can still be admired in the Church.

Over the following centuries, the Parish was expanded to accommodate the ever-increasing number of faithful who populated the village, but in 1908 the sacred building was partially damaged by the earthquake that struck Sicily, causing devastating damage.
The bell tower of the ancient church was completely demolished by the earthquake and other damages affected the central body of the building.

At the beginning of the XNUMXth century, the Church dedicated to the Patroness of the town was no longer able to accommodate all the members of the community and so it was that in 1929 the Mother Church was completely demolished, to give way to one new and larger construction.

The new Mother Church of Santa Teresa di Riva was opened to the faithful in 1934; in 1943 the premises of the Church were used as a military hospital to look after the American soldiers wounded in the Sicily Campaign and after the end of the war, in 1958, the Church became a Diocesan Sanctuary, but only in 2018 the Sanctuary was officially dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Today the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Santa Teresa di Riva is the most important place of worship in the town, dedicated to the patron saint.

The architecture of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Carmelo and the works it houses

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Carmelo is an imposing sacred building with harmonious beauty, but its history tells us of expansions, damages, demolitions and reconstructions.

The current building was completely rebuilt in 1929 neo-Romanesque style.

The main facade is divided into three portions, corresponding to the naves inside the Church. The central part, in which the main door and the large rose window are located in the upper order, overlooks the wings of the building by at least one floor, which correspond to the side naves of the Church.

The facade is decorated with blind arches, while the three portals are framed by round arches and the central door is protected by a projecting arch.

One of the elements that most attracts the observer's attention is undoubtedly the rose window, divided into 12 rays and characterized by colored glass.

The interior of the Parish is divided by 12 columns with Ionic and Corinthian capitals, which give life to the three naves of the Church. Thanks to the rose window and the six skylights, the apse area and the entire church are illuminated by natural light.

The beauty of the sacred furnishings, the coffered ceiling and the marbles that decorate the floor must be observed in person, as well as the numerous works of art found in the Church, among which we point out the statue in wood of the Madonna del Carmelo.
The High Altar, the sacred paintings, the pulpit and the 27 reliquaries kept in the Church are just some of the works that you can admire when visiting the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Carmelo.

What to do in the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Carmelo and in the surroundings

Those who visit the Sanctuary will be able to gather in prayer and participate in the Mass, admire all the beauties of the most important Church in the town, but also discover something more about the center of Santa Teresa di Riva and the surrounding areas.

The Saracen Tower it is located a few steps away from the Sanctuary, while there are numerous other churches to visit, such as that of the Holy Family and the Church of San Sebastiano. Nineteenth-century or Art Nouveau villas and buildings embellish the main streets of the centre, which you can discover with a walk.

Santa Teresa di Riva overlooks the Ionian Sea and another major attraction of the town is of course the beach, which can be reached on foot from the centre, and gives you access to the splendid Sicilian sea. Just 7 km inland, however, you can visit the hamlet of Missio, medieval village of the XII century.

Those who wish to reach one of the largest cities of the island, on the other hand, can easily reach Messina, just 38 km away.

How is it possible to get to Santa Teresa di Riva

Santa Teresa di Riva, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, can be reached by car via the A18 Messina-Catania, taking the exit for Roccalumera about 3 km from the town, or by train, getting off at the Santa Teresa di Riva station, which is located directly in the center.

© Eugenio Nicola Scarcella, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons