The Parish of San Gregorio Magno in Vizzini

Ancient and imposing, the Parish of San Gregorio Magno in Vizzini is dedicated to the patron saint of the town: Pope Gregory the Great (VII century AD) was the son of an aristocrat from Vizzini, in the current Metropolitan City of Catania.

Although the Church is built in Late Gothic style , there are still no reliable sources on the date of construction of the Mother Church of Vizzini; however it can be said with greater certainty that the sacred building that can be admired today in the heart of the town was built on the ruins of a Benedictine convent pre-existing and of the ancient Casa Giuratoria.

In 1600, the Parish was enlarged with the annexation of the Baptistery and the construction of the North Gate, while the Altar dedicated to San Biagio was added to the Church. Towards the end of the century, however, the building was heavily damaged by an earthquake, which in 1693 partially destroyed the church and many other buildings in Sicily. Today in fact, you can see how the structure is present architectural overlaps of different eras.

Some architectural elements of the structure and many of the decorations inside the Parish of San Gregorio Magno in Vizzini are Baroque style ; canvases, sacred furnishings, statues and other ornaments of the Church were made in the following centuries, up to the twentieth century.

The architecture of the Parish of San Gregorio Magno in Vizzini

At first glance, from the outside, the Parish of San Gregorio Magno in Vizzini can be described as a building of great grandeur ; entering the church, one can immediately notice the richness of the furnishings and works of art kept in the Parish of Vizzini.

The Mother Church is a large building a three naves , where there are numerous chapels and a Baptistery. A tall bell tower is attached to the church.

Arriving at the crossroads between Via Gregorio Magno and Largo Matrice, the first thing you notice about the Parish is the large façade, corresponding to the façade of the ancient Casa Giuratoria: here, a sculpture in the shape of arms, with outstretched hands probably served as a support for flags and banners on festive occasions; the main elevation is instead made in late Renaissance style , where the presence of pillars semi-leaning against the wall suggests the internal division of the three naves.

Turning along the side of the Church, you come across the beautiful Gothic-style portal with the inscription of 1539 which bears the name of the Parish. The portal is enclosed between two columns that develop in height with ornaments and drawings in the upper parts. The entire side wall is characterized by the presence of profiles pointed arches , typical of the Gothic style. In this part of the Church, what was the original appearance of the ancient building is visible.

Entering the Church, one is immediately struck by the richness of furnishings and decorations in the Baroque style, impossible to name one by one: only a few of the most important are mentioned, such as the imposing octagonal columns , surmounted by pointed arches and belonging to the original layout of the church, the numerous decorations in gilded wood and eighteenth-century ceilings , also decorated in gold. Next to the beautiful Baptismal Font, you can admire a fresco representing the Baptism of Jesus.

Along the aisles you can see the paintings of Paladini, while next to the portal, in addition to the Baptistery, there is the Chapel of San Biagio . Marble altars, wooden statues and, of course, the large statue of the Patron Saint placed on the High Altar can be admired, among the many ornaments of this large Parish.

What to do in the Parish of San Gregorio Magno in Vizzini

The Parish of San Gregorio Magno in Vizzini is a sacred building of considerable size and rich in beauty, which inspires solemnity in prayer and admiration for the structure: those who wish to do so can go to the Church during Mass hours to follow the function and can dedicate much time to contemplate all the artistic beauties present in the Church.

Visiting Vizzini you can also discover tall sacred buildings such as the Church of San Giovanni Battista or the Church of San Vito, in the center of the town; The Gandolfo Maggiore Palace instead it is one of the civil architectures not to be missed when you arrive in Vizzini, together with the Torrione.

Those who have a few days of vacation available to spend in Sicily, from Vizzini with just an hour's drive can reach Syracuse on the eastern coast of the island, or Gela on the south western coast.

As a cultural place you can also visit the House of Memory and the Arts of Vizzini, a museum dedicated to the writer Giovanni Verga, which contains his memoirs and some of his cameras.

How to get to the Parish of San Gregorio Magno in Vizzini

Vizzini, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, can be easily reached by car or train, to visit the Parish and the other beauties of the surroundings.

By car, take the A18 Messina-Catania and take the Lentini-Carlentini exit, continue on the SS 194 towards Frankfurt and finally take the SS 124 to get to Vizzini.

Those traveling by train can get off at Ragusa station, 27 km away from the town, and continue their journey by bus.