The Mother Church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Burgio

Burgio is a small Sicilian village in the province of Agrigento which has just under three thousand inhabitants. Despite its small size it is one of the most iconic places in Sicily, managing to tell a story through its works of art , its history and its traditions with the various ones artistic currents who have crossed this corner of Sicily contributing to its uniqueness.

The village is dominated from above by the ------- Castle ------- which represents a very particular destination to reach due to the very steep paths, also given its position, but the beauty of the interior of the fortress certainly deserve a visit that cannot be missed.

The Castle represents a sort of " unicum" in the architecture of Burgio which is predominantly Arab, characterized by very narrow streets surrounded by homes and artisans' shops, where time seems to have stopped a few years ago. It is not difficult to come across these small streets stalls or simple local shops, full of Sicilian food and the smiles of the locals.

Visiting Burgio means taking a step back in time and forgetting the frenzy, stress and daily routine. Among the many works that distinguish this small reality, it certainly deserves a special mention Mother Parish of Sant'Antonio Abate of Burgio.

The History of the Mother Church of Sant'Antonio Abate of Burgio

The Mother Church of Sant'Antonio Abate of Burgio was born on the ruins of the previous church dedicated to Sant'Antonio Abate which, it is assumed, was built in the period Norman, despite the lack of reliable sources that demonstrate the actual date of construction.

The current church is in Renaissance style, except for the bell tower which dates back to the sixteenth century. It has a longitudinal plan and is presented inside 3 naves characterized by a barrel roof, while the side naves have a Roman cross vaulted roof; the naves are separated by ten columns of Corinthian capitals and are characterized by side chapels where eleven altars are located and all contain works of art which, in some cases, are of extreme artistic and historical value.

From the outside you can see the central cylindrical apse and the bell tower with four bronze bells and the municipal clock. On the entrance portal, dating back to 1846, the lunette contains the statues of the Madonna of S. Antonio Abate and of S. Nicola di Bari. The internal floor of the Church is in White marble and gray while the presbytery is surrounded by a wooden choir from the 1600s.

What else to see after visiting the Mother Parish of Sant'Antonio Abate di Burgio?

After the visit to the Mother Parish of Sant'Antonio Abate di Burgio it is possible to indulge in further relaxation by visiting the green spaces that the village offers. The Bosco dei Sicani is one nature reserve which includes both the part of the province of Agrigento and that of Palermo.
The greenery and silence of the woods is interrupted only by the noise of the streams that cross the reserve and among the many paths that can be followed it is possible to appreciate the finds that indicate the presence of the Sicani, among the first populations to inhabit this portion of the island.

When and how to visit Burgio?

The beauties and works present in Burgio, including the Mother Church of Sant'Antonio Abate di Burgio, can be visited throughout the year; the village always presents itself as a very quiet place where you can spend a few days peacefully in order to visit it more calmly; if you want to take part in more social events you can visit the town during the village festivals and Holy Week, when the small village comes alive with sounds and colours.

Reaching Burgio is very simple: from Palermo take the expressway in the direction of Agrigento, to exit at Bolognetta and cross the various towns until reaching Burgio.