Churches in Petralia Soprana & Sottana
2013
 
 

Santa Maria di Loreto, Petralia Soprana

Chiesa di Santa Maria di Loreto
 
 
 

Considered the most beautiful church in Petralia Soprana is the 18th-century Chiesa di Santa Maria di Loreto, at the end of Via Loreto
 
 
 

The Church of Santa Maria di Loreto was an old fortress converted into a church by the Discalced Carmelites
 
 
 

An altarpiece by Gagini and a Madonna by Giacomo Mancini
 
 
 

Saints Cosmo & Damiano
 
 

This church was rebuilt in 1750 with a plan of a Greek cross and facade baroque sculptures by Serpotta.
 
 

Located in the Belvedere Quartiere of Petralia Soprana
 
 

Chiesa Madre "Madrice" Petralia Sottana
 

The main church of Petralia Sottana, commonly referred to as "Madrice", probably existed as early as the ninth century.
 
 
 

Inside there are three naves separated by monolithic stone columns coming from the Balza San Eleutorio.
 
 

There are canvases by Giuseppe Salerno and, in a chapel to the right of the altar, a moving Nativity scene by Antonello Gagini.
 
 
 

The current structure, with three naves and a basilica, was built between 1632 and 1790,
together with the adjacent bell tower in white stone with a pointed arch underpass.
 
 
 

The Church hosts works by Zoppo di Gangi and the Gaginis,
as well as a valuable triptych attributed to Gaspare da Pesaro, a pupil of the famous Gentile da Fabriano
 
 

In the church is a statue of Saint Calogero, the patron saint of Petralia Sottana,
the work of Brother Umile da Petralia and numerous statues and paintings of a time span ranging from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century.
 
 

The Church retains a remarkable "treasure", including works of gold and silver Baroque and Neoclassical,
and an interesting and ancient archive, recently reorganized and made available.
 
 

Chiesa Madre dei SS. Apostoli Pietro e Paolo, Petralia Soprana
 
 

A rich architectural heritage is preserved in Petralia Soprana's SS. Apostles Peter and Paul, in the Piazza del Duomo
 
 
 

The Church was rebuilt and later underwent changes within and became two aisles;
It also saw other transformations and expansions at the beginning of 1700, when it was embellished with baroque stucco.
 
 

At the end of 1700. also was added, the front portal, the work of Serpotta, and the bell tower in the east.
 
 

Inside we can admire the largest organ in the area, dating back to 1780, and the work of Giacomo Andronicus.
 
 

The portal of entry is fifteenth century, while the interior has a Latin cross plan today and divided into three aisles,
contains the "Madonna of the Audience" by Antonello Gagini, the "Madonna della Catena" by Giorgio from Milan, a Pietà by Giuliano Mancino
 
 
 

There is a wooden tabernacle of Peter Bencivinni and the first of 33 wooden crucifixes of Frate Umile da Petralia
 
 
 

 The Church has works created by Zoppo di Gangi, Gaspare Bazzano: Our Lady of the Angels with St. Clare, Francis, Anthony and Peter of Alcantara in 1620.