Palazzolo Acreide

A majestic and luminous church

facciata da piazza del popolo al tramontoThe church of San Sebastiano (St. Sebastian) is above street level and accessed by a long flight of stairs. The façade, 35 metres tall and made of white limestone, was designed by the master architect Mario Diamanti of Syracuse.

The church of San Sebastiano
The church of San Sebastiano is located higher than the street level and is accessible through a good twenty-four steps. The facade is 35 meters high and was made of white limestone, was designed by the master architect Mario Diamanti of Syracuse. It consists of three levels: the first contains the three entrance portals; the largest in the center is framed between two pairs of columns resting on two lions; above it was built a niche with the statue of San Sebastiano; The second band contains the clock and is closed at the sides by two volutes, is less wide than the lower floor; the third level completes the structure of the facade, was built around the second half of the eighteenth century with an opening and space for a bell. Finally, at an altitude of 42 meters from the level of the square, above the top floor, stands “u palieddu”, the fan-shaped flag.

It is formed of three levels. The first contains the three entrance portals, the largest in the middle is framed by two pairs of columns resting on two lions and finished at the top by a niche housing the statue of St. Sebastian.

zoom statua di San Sebastiano
statua di San Sebastiano

portale centrale tutto il complesso decorativo che ha intorno dettaglio leone del portale dettaglio leone del portale
The second section contains the clock and is completed at the sides by two volute ; the third level was finally completed around 1768 with a bell tower.

zoom L’orologio
L’orologio

The monumental exterior is matched by an incredibly precious interior: it’s a veritable treasure! Divided into three naves , the interior is a triumph of colour.
campanile  navata centrale
A black and white chessboard floor follows worshippers throughout the church. White and yellow faux marble covers the columns and their base.
Dettaglio pavimento dettaglio colonne navata centrale dettaglio colonne navata centrale
The white walls are illuminated with golden decorations that elevate the interior.
The vault of the nave is enriched by three frescoes painted by Gioacchino Gianforma and large windows with colourful glass that flood the interior with light.dettaglio voluteThe same windows are also found above the altars in the side naves, illuminated further by brilliant Murano glass chandeliers.

zoom lampadario in vetro di murano
lampadario in vetro di murano
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