Basilica della Collegiata, Catania

The Ancient Royal and Eminent Basilica Collegiate of Our Lady of the Alms, more commonly referred to as the Basilica della Collegiata, stands as a remarkable example of Sicilian Baroque architecture in the heart of Catania, Sicily. Completed in 1794, the church is a testament to the city’s resilience, having been rebuilt in the early 18th century following the devastating earthquake of 1693 that destroyed much of Catania. Originally constructed in the Middle Ages, it was elevated to a collegiate church by Pope Eugenius IV.

The Basilica's redesign by Angelo Italia reoriented it towards the newly planned Via Uzeda (now Etnea Street) as part of post-earthquake urban renewal. Stefano Ittar, a Polish architect, crafted the stunning late Baroque façade with a two-tiered design: six stone columns on the lower level, statues flanking a central window on the upper level, and a bell structure above. A grand staircase with a wrought iron parapet leads to the church.

The Basilica's interior follows a traditional plan with a nave, two aisles, and three apses. The central apse, housing the rectory, is the focal point. The right aisle features a baptistery, three saintly altars, and the Altar of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, adorned with a marble balustrade and statue. Above the high altar in the nave’s apse is an icon of the Virgin with Child, a copy of a Byzantine original. An 18th-century wooden organ and choir enhance the sacred atmosphere. The left aisle leads to the Holy Sacrament Chapel with a polychrome marble altar and includes Olivio Sozzi's altarpiece of Sant’Apollonia. The 1896 frescoes by Giuseppe Sciuti depict the Life of Mary, Angels, and Saints.

The Basilica della Collegiata is not only a jewel of Sicilian Baroque but also a testament to the enduring faith and artistic legacy of Catania.