Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella in Militello Val di Catania

Il Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella in Militello Val di Catania it is one of the main churches of the city, built in 1733 on the site of the old Church of Santa Maria della Stella destroyed by the Noto earthquake of 1693. The building was opened in 1741, after the earthquake and housed various parishes.

The Sanctuary is dedicated to Our Lady of the Star, patroness of the city. It is up a long staircase and has a kind facade barocco with many hand carvings and a particular bell tower. The initial project was by the architect Giuseppe Ferrara, while the eighteenth-century finishes are by Onofrio Russo. With the earthquake of 1908 the place was closed for worship and was reopened in 1909. In 1929 the rectory was built next to the church, in 1969 the church became Marian shrine. Extensive renovations were carried out after 1990 and in 2002 he was elected UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Architecture and works of art at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella in Militello Val di Catania

Almost all the frescoes inside the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella in Militello Val di Catania are made by Giuseppe Barone, the work began with a cycle of frescoes in 1945. The church essentially consists of two naves and the Sacristy- Treasure.

As regards the right side there is the chapel of Sant'Anna and the altar which belongs to the Jatrini family. In the second bay are instead the Chapel of San Gaetano, the altar of the Reforgiato family. In the third is the chapel of the Assumption, here is the newsstand with the depiction of the angels by Giuseppe Barone and there is also the pulpit with the canopy. In the fourth part there is the chapel of the Penitent Magdalene of the Baldanza family, in the fifth there is the Nativity with a masterpiece by Andrea della Robbia.

There are many decorations and depictions of angels and the Holy Family. The altarpiece was originally all gold but is now partially blackened. The Treasure Sacristy is a sort of small museum where there are many sacred objects that date back to the XV-XVIII year and come from various churches in the city. Among these stand out the sarcophagus of Blasco II Barresi which was made in Militello, a fifteenth-century polyptych, a painting by Vito D'Anna of the Immaculate Conception, various sacred images in silver. The Treasury can be visited free of charge and is a journey through the history of the Sanctuary which also allows us to understand the past of Militello Val di Catania and the depth that the sacred places in the city have always received.

What you can do at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella in Militello Val di Catania and in the surrounding area

Militello Val di Catania is very famous for having a practically unlimited number of churches on a not exactly large territory. There are some open to the public, now uninhabited and also in ruins. They arise everywhere, even surrounded by nature. A journey through the sacred places of the city is truly remarkable and interesting for discovering local handicrafts.

Masses are celebrated from Tuesday to Saturday at 18.30pm, Sundays at 10.30am and 19.30pm. Prayers take place at 18 pm from Tuesday to Saturday, at 19 pm on Sundays, at 18 pm on Wednesdays Lectio Divina, and on Fridays at 17 pm adoration.

How is it possible to get to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella in Militello Val di Catania

Getting there is very simple, from the station to the Church it takes about 15 minutes on foot. This is located in Piazza Santa Maria della Stella so it should not be confused with the newsstand of Santa Maria della Stella which is located a few steps away. You can use the SP 30/28, in the city take via Umberto I, via Porta della Terra. The Basilica is quite majestic therefore easily identifiable. Nearby there are paid and free parking lots, the external area is non-pedestrian. A few steps from the church, about 500 meters, there is a free open space where you can park.

© Image by Gmelfi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons