Historical center of Acireale (Centro storico di Acireale) description and photos - Italy: Acireale (Sicily) (Topic)

Historical center of Acireale (Centro storico di Acireale) description and photos - Italy: Acireale (Sicily). Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Centro storico di Acireale.

Photo and description

The historic center of Acireale is notable for its old palaces, elegant churches and monuments of particular importance. A number of routes have been developed for tourists to explore this part of the city.

It is in the historic center of Acireale that the Library and Pinakothek Zelantea are located. Established in the 17th century, the institute occupies the building of the Palazzo, built in the 19th century in the neoclassical style by the architect Mariano Panebianco. Today, the Pinakothek houses a collection of works of art and antique artifacts.

Nearby is the Collegiate Basilica of San Sebastiano, one of the most important churches of Acireale, declared a national monument. The construction of the basilica dates back to the 16th century. She attracts attention with her facade preceded by a balustrade. Inside there are many frescoes by Paolo Vasta.

Also noteworthy is the Church of St. Anthony of Padua - the oldest church in the city. This is probably the only surviving building whose history dates back to the time of Aquila Nuova - the 14th century. Despite numerous alterations over the centuries, including after several earthquakes, the church has retained a beautiful Gothic portal. Initially, the church was dedicated to Saint Sebastian and was the center of the brotherhood of the same name. And only after the construction of the Collegiate Basilica, San Sebastiano was dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. Inside the church today you can see frescoes and paintings by Alessandro and Pietro Paolo Vasta.

Finally, attractions of the historic center of Acireale are two more churches - Santa Maria del Suffragio and San Camillo. The first, erected in the 17th century, faces the sea. They say that it was built on the initiative of the wives of fishermen, who were embarrassed to go to church with the noble townspeople. Inside, numerous frescoes have survived, including the Miracle of the Eucharist by the same Pietro Paolo Vasta. Another church, San Camillo, is distinguished by a very poor external decoration and a very rich internal content. It was built in 1621 and painted with Vasta frescoes depicting scenes from the Old Testament. Residents of Acireale call this church for women - Chiesa delle Donne.

The entire historic center of the city is cut through by Corso Imberto Street, along which aristocratic palaces are lined up. Turning right from this street you can get to the small Piazza Garibaldi with a statue in memory of the fallen heroes. On the west side of the square is the Maujeri Cinema - at the time of construction in 1952, it was the largest in Sicily. Further along the Corso Umberto is Piazza Indirizzo, from which you can get to the park of Villa Belvedere, built in the 19th century. There is also the neoclassical church of Chiesa del Indirizzo. Noteworthy are the palaces of Palazzo Musumechi and Palazzo Calanna, the churches of San Biagio, Santa Maria degli Angeli, Madonna del Carmelo, San Domenico, Santo Rocco and others.

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Topic: Historical center of Acireale (Centro storico di Acireale) description and photos - Italy: Acireale (Sicily).