Badia di Sant'Agata (Church of the Abbey of Saint Agata), Catania
The Church of the Abbey of Saint Agatha (Badia di Sant'Agata), a masterpiece of 18th-century Baroque architecture, stands prominently in Catania, Italy, across the street from the left transept of the city鈥檚 cathedral. This Roman Catholic church, part of a female Benedictine convent, is dedicated to Saint Agatha, the patron saint of Catania, and embodies a rich history intertwined with resilience and devotion.
The nunnery was originally founded in 1620 under the Benedictine rule. However, the devastating 1693 earthquake destroyed the convent, claiming the lives of 15 of its 28 nuns. Reconstruction efforts began modestly with cloisters and a perimeter fence, but the ambitious rebuilding of the church itself only commenced in 1736 under the architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini. His design incorporated a surviving 17th-century portal by Giovanni Maria Amato, preserving a tangible link to the pre-earthquake structure.
The church鈥檚 fa莽ade, completed by 1742, exudes Baroque elegance, while the octagonal dome, finished in 1768, offers panoramic views of Catania and the imposing Mount Etna. The elongated octagonal interior features a harmonious blend of white marble flooring and yellow Castronovo marble, handpicked by the architect Nicol貌 Daniele. A metal grill behind the main altar enables the cloistered nuns to observe mass discreetly, while a glass chandelier hangs beneath the dome, adding a touch of grandeur.
The side altars house stucco statues crafted in 1782 by Giovanni Battista Marino, Mario Biondo, and Giovanni Battista Amato, depicting Saint Benedict, the Immaculate Conception, Saint Joseph, and Saint Euplio. The centerpiece of the main altar is a striking statue of Saint Agatha, a fitting tribute to the saint to whom the church is dedicated.
The church was consecrated in 1796, marking its completion as a spiritual and architectural triumph. Over the centuries, the structure endured additional challenges, including earthquake damage in 1990. A comprehensive restoration completed in 2012 ensured its preservation for future generations.
The nunnery was originally founded in 1620 under the Benedictine rule. However, the devastating 1693 earthquake destroyed the convent, claiming the lives of 15 of its 28 nuns. Reconstruction efforts began modestly with cloisters and a perimeter fence, but the ambitious rebuilding of the church itself only commenced in 1736 under the architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini. His design incorporated a surviving 17th-century portal by Giovanni Maria Amato, preserving a tangible link to the pre-earthquake structure.
The church鈥檚 fa莽ade, completed by 1742, exudes Baroque elegance, while the octagonal dome, finished in 1768, offers panoramic views of Catania and the imposing Mount Etna. The elongated octagonal interior features a harmonious blend of white marble flooring and yellow Castronovo marble, handpicked by the architect Nicol貌 Daniele. A metal grill behind the main altar enables the cloistered nuns to observe mass discreetly, while a glass chandelier hangs beneath the dome, adding a touch of grandeur.
The side altars house stucco statues crafted in 1782 by Giovanni Battista Marino, Mario Biondo, and Giovanni Battista Amato, depicting Saint Benedict, the Immaculate Conception, Saint Joseph, and Saint Euplio. The centerpiece of the main altar is a striking statue of Saint Agatha, a fitting tribute to the saint to whom the church is dedicated.
The church was consecrated in 1796, marking its completion as a spiritual and architectural triumph. Over the centuries, the structure endured additional challenges, including earthquake damage in 1990. A comprehensive restoration completed in 2012 ensured its preservation for future generations.
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Badia di Sant'Agata (Church of the Abbey of Saint Agata) on Map
Sight Name: Badia di Sant'Agata (Church of the Abbey of Saint Agata)
Sight Location: Catania, Italy (See walking tours in Catania)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Catania, Italy (See walking tours in Catania)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Catania, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Catania
Creating your own self-guided walk in Catania is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Walking Tour
Just as many other Italian destinations, the Sicilian city of Catania is full of churches, especially in the historic center, where the presence of religious sites is particularly high! A good number of local churches date back centuries, and as such represent marvelous pieces of architecture, adding much character to the area. It is also commonplace to find inside most of them, be it a duomo,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Catania Introduction Walking Tour
The old Sicilian word "katane" is often translated as "harsh ground" or "sharp stones." Black lava from Mount Etna has swamped the area many times. Other disasters include earthquakes, invasions and wars.
The original village of Katane was occupied by Greek settlers in the eighth century BC. During the first Punic War, Catania became a Roman city. The Vandals... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
The original village of Katane was occupied by Greek settlers in the eighth century BC. During the first Punic War, Catania became a Roman city. The Vandals... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles