Santuario di Santa Maria dell'Aiuto (Church of Santa Maria dell'Aiuto), Catania

The Church of Santa Maria dell’Aiuto is a 17th-century religious landmark in Catania. This sanctuary is celebrated for housing a reproduction of the Holy House of Loreto, making it an important site for religious tourism.

The church originated as a medieval chapel dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. In 1372, it gained prominence with the veneration of the miraculous Madonna dell’Aiuto icon. Transferred here in 1641 to accommodate growing crowds, the current church was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake by architect Antonino Battaglia.

The Church of Santa Maria dell’Aiuto showcases Battaglia's style with a single nave leading to a deep presbytery framed by a triumphal arch. Its 19th-century façade features two orders of Corinthian columns, statues of Saints Peter and Paul, and a tympanum with Mary’s monogram surrounded by marble angels. A shield above the entrance depicts the Madonna dell’Aiuto, while a clock-equipped bell tower enhances the right side.

Inside, golden stucco, Marian symbols, and writings adorn the space, with four side altars dedicated to San Francesco de Sales, the Crucifix, Saints Peter and Paul, and a replica of Sant’Agata’s martyrdom by Filippo Paladini.

In the 1740s, a small-scale reproduction of the Holy House of Loreto was added by Canon Giuseppe Lauria, reflecting deep local devotion. The main altar enshrines the Madonna dell’Aiuto icon, which survived the 1693 earthquake. While it has been repainted over time, it remains the focal point of veneration. The altar itself is a masterpiece of colored marble and slender columns, crowned by a dynamic marble representation of the Eternal Father surrounded by angels.