Church of Tonnara in Marzamemi
The ancient Church of San Francesco da Paola in Marzamemi overlooks Piazza Regina Margherita , in the oldest part of the village, is connected to the tonnara building by a characteristic arch in stone, and for this reason it is also known as the Church of the Tonnara.
It was built together with the architectural complex of the adjacent Tonnara, at the behest of the baron Bernardo Calascibetta and Landolina, around the year 1752.
The supporting structure is in sandstone, a typical local material. The facade is framed by two pillars, has a Baroque style portal, above there is a round window and what remains of the bell tower.
The interior has a single nave with a Gothic vault, which reflects the style of the external facade, with a polygonal apse. There is a High Altar dedicated to the Madonna of Pompeii and two lateral ones, one dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and the other to Saint Francis of Paola. The flooring is from the eighteenth century.
The church, to date, is deconsecrated and closed to the public, in disuse since the end of the Second World War, when it was heavily damaged due to a collapse.
