Church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Ferla

The history of the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Ferla

The Church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Ferla, in the Libero Municipal Consortium of Syracuse, is a Catholic building that today appears as one of the most complex, from an artistic and architectural point of view, of the entire medieval village of Ferla.

The current church was built after the earthquake of 1693 in what is now the heart of the town, while a previous building was located in front of the Church of Carmine.

The very long process that led to the building of the Church lasted about fifty years and was completed only in 1760. In 1908 the facade of the building reported serious damage following the earthquake that shook the whole province of Syracuse.

The architecture of the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate and the works it houses

Built in the first half of the XNUMXth century, the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Ferla is an example of Baroque religious architecture with imprint Rococo, typical example of Iblean Baroque.

Outside, the Church appears incredibly articulated and decorated with rich details: the facade is made up of three concave bodies and on the ground floor is the portal, while various niches are distributed in all three orders of the structure.
The first and second orders, solid and powerful, are tripartite by the presence of columns with Corinthian capitals.

The only access portal to the Church is located in the center of the first order, surrounded by columns and surmounted by an arched tympanum, it is rich in decorations such as festoons, curls, niches and frames.

The Church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Ferla has a Greek cross plan; inside there are several chapels, two oratories and numerous works of art. Above all, Il stands out Triumph of St. Anthony in the Four Continents of the Earth, fresco by Joseph Crestadoro and the anonymous painting of the Our Lady of the Assumption.
Among the other works of notable artistic interest, there are numerous statues and stuccoes, as well as of course the sacred furnishings of eighteenth-century invoice.

What to do in the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate and in the surroundings

Those arriving in Ferla to visit the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate will be able to admire its beauty and also follow the sacred functions during mass time.

The building is located along the Via Sacra, or Via Vittorio Emanuele, which cuts the village in two. Along this route there are 4 other sacred buildings, which can be visited: the Church of Carmine, Mother Church, Church of San Sebastiano , Church of Santa Maria.

Staying in Ferla you have the opportunity to discover all the beauties of a medieval village included in the list of Most beautiful villages in Italy, simply taking a walk downtown; in addition, there are several interesting attractions in the surrounding area, such as the archaeological site of Pantalica, Gabriele Judica Archaeological Museum e Buscemi, the town-museum.

The site of Pantalica, which houses the necropolis, the village of Micidario and the remains of the Palazzo del Principe, dates back to the XNUMXth century BC and revolves around the hill, in which the caves of the necropolis have been excavated.

The Gabriele Judica Archaeological Museum, about 22 km away, mainly houses materials of daily use found in the XNUMXth century at the archaeological site of Akrai.

Buscemi is about 16 km from Ferla: it is a museum village, where along the streets of the medieval center you can follow a cultural itinerary to discover the ancient life of local farmers and craftsmen.

An interesting tour for all history and art lovers, which can end in Syracuse, just 40 km away: here, in the beautiful coastal city, you can admire important monuments for the artistic heritage of our country, such as the Duomo and the Temple of Apollo, as well as beautiful civil buildings, fountains, churches. Even nature shows itself in Syracuse, where there is the wonderful Marine Park of Plemmirio, a spectacular oasis with transparent waters.

So, don't forget to relax during your stay in Sicily: in addition to the splendid beaches, you will also be welcomed by the delicious Sicilian cuisine. If you stay in Ferla, you will find restaurants, trattorias, farmhouses where you can taste all kinds of dishes, from grilled vegetable appetizers to ravioli with pistachio pesto, Ferla will also amaze your palate.

How to reach the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Ferla

Ferla, in the Free Municipal Consortium of Syracuse, South Eastern Sicily, can be easily reached by car and train.

Those arriving from Syracuse by car can take the State Road 124 towards Palazzolo, and then turn at the Montegrosso crossroads, continuing up to the village. Alternatively, there is the A18 Messina – Catania, to be taken up to the Melilli exit, about 20 km from the village of Ferla.

Visitors arriving by train can book a ride to Syracuse Station, where they will find buses and shuttles that will take them to Ferla.

© David Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0 - David Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons