| The Cathedral |
|
It took almost three centuries to complete this huge structure, strongly wanted by baron Marco Trigona, that, on dying, in 1598, left a testament for the construction of a religious building larger than the fourteenth century’s Mother church, whose gothic-catalane styled bell tower, in the lower part, still exists today, while the top section was modified in the fifteenth century. The construction started in 1604, but was temporarily stopped; it continued in 1628, designed by the roman architect, Orazio Torriani, thereafter modified by F.Andrea Buonamici from Lucca, who designed the current project and the majestic portal with spiral columns. The works continued with numerous interruptions till 1768, year in which the cupola was completed, under the directions of the famous architect F. Battaglia from Catania. Finally, the stairway to the three entrances was completed in 1881. The internal large nave has the shape of the Latin Cross, with interconnected lateral chapel At the start of the nave, on the right, there is the Baptistery’s arc, in the Gagini’s style, precious witness of the previous fourteenth century’s church. Laura de Assoro’s sarcophagus is on the left side, while her husband, baron Marco Trigona, is buried behind the altar. This sacred temple contains numerous pieces of art; the most important are the seventeenth century painting of the Assumption of the Virgin by F. Paladini, hung above the altar on the left side, The Martyr of St. Agata, by Jacopo Ligozzi and the wooden Cross in the typical Antonellian style, by an unknown artist, commonly known as the "Master of the cross" from Piazza Armerina, with both of its sides painted (Christ Crucified on one side and Christ resurrected on the other one). It is also worthwhile to mention the two chapels located in the left side: one beautiful chapel dedicated to the Madonna of Consolation, the other with splendid stucco decorations, called the “coretto” (choir) chapel.
|
