GRAMMICHELE
Grammichele
is a city of about 15,000 in the province of Catania, set 520m a.s.l.
THE
CITY
It
was founded by refugees from the neighboring farming village of
Occhiolà who survived a terrible earthquake in 1693. It is
based on a concentric urban structure with a hexagonal perimeter,
and
divided into five quarters plus one where the Prince family originally
resided.
The
Mother Church – Dedicated to San Michele, it is one of the
most beautiful buildings in town. The vault is ornamented with 1800’s
stuccoes depicting the Twelve Apostles and Events of the Life of
Jesus Christ. Other interesting stuccoes adorn the Chapel of the
Holy Sacrement. The church contains precious works of art, such
as two 1600’s paintings depicting San Nicola di Bari and the
“Disputa di Santa Caterina”.
Santuario
della Madonna del Piano – The shrine of the Madonna del Piano
lies in the city surroundings north-west of Terravecchia district.
This religious building, erected in the 15th century and miraculously
unharmed by 1693’s quake, has a simple structure. Its frontage
has a central doorway with a window above. Its walls bear interesting
frescoes illustrating events related to Madonna del Piano’s
life.
A
number of minor churches are worth-seeing. Among these are the churches
of the Holy Spirit, of San Leonardo, Sant’Anna and San Giuseppe.
A
final mention must go the the Palazzo Comunale, the city hall, housing
the Municipal Museum (on the first floor) displaying relics recovered
from the Terravecchia district, where the ancient city once lay.
Occhiolà Archaeological Park
– The Occhiolà park is located on a hill in the Terravecchia
district where the Medieval settlement of Occhiolà lay before
being destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. The park was established
to maintain and safeguard the archaeological and cultural patrimony
of the area. The visitors can enjoy guided walks or even take part
in archaeological excavations.
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