Church of San Francesco di Paola in Caltagirone
The Church of San Francesco di Paola in Caltagirone is one of the main places of worship in the city.
It was built in 1593 as a completion of the rebuilding of the church of Sant'Antonio abate and the convent annex inhabited for some years by the Dominican Fathers. The earthquake of 1693 did not cause serious damage to the structure, the Gaginesque façade remained standing together with the left side one. The Church has undergone several changes, including structural ones, which have now compromised its original harmony.
The façade is enriched by two fine Renaissance-style white stone portals. Above the portal you can admire a niche with a stone figure of the saint bearing the date of 1625, now the frame of a majolica panel depicting the miraculous crossing of the Strait of Messina by the Saint of Paola. The apse houses the statue of the saint to whom the church is consecrated. On the altar of the relics and on the sides of the presbytery there are works of considerable pictorial interest including the canvas depicting San Vincenzo de 'Paul and that of' Addolorata 'both by Francesco Vaccaro.
