Church of the Carmine and the Abbey

Located in Piazza Umberto I and characterised by a sober pointed façade with a flat-headed portal, the Church of Carmine formerly belonged to the Carmelite convent, but its existence was established well before the religious community took up residence there in 1575. The restoration, involving predominantly the interior, was carried out in the middle of last century. There is a single nave with barrel vaults, decorated in geometric designs and a series of tempera paintings depicting scenes of The Holy Family by the contemporary artist L. Messina. On the Altar you can admire Antonello Gagini’s Our lady of Graces (1534) set in a gilded niche that was completed by the sculptor’s son. Leaving Piazza Umberto I and going up Via Colonello Vita you will come across the Abbey, the ancient monastery of the Benedictines of Santa Maria of Valverde with its large wooden truss roof, used today as an exhibition space.