Basilica Maria SS del Soccorso - Sciacca

Founded in 1108 by Julia the Norman, daughter of Count Roger in the center of the old Ruccera district.

The mighty east-facing apse and the mighty Gothic arches from the fifteenth century have been preserved from the original structure.

The church had a Latin cross plan with three wide naves, monumental Norman style arches and Ionic columns. On December 15 , 1656, a battlement collapsed , damaging the facade. A long debate led to a conclusion: rebuild on the Norman foundations while retaining the apses and Gothic arches.

The rebuilding of the temple was carried out in the years between 1656 and 1686 according to a design by Michele Blasco. The restoration was followed by the dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation , declared the new patron saint of Sciacca.

The basilica stands on a slight slope so that the walking surface is connected to the roadway by a short staircase with access to a small cemetery enclosed by balustrades with typical amphora-shaped columns . A tripartite facade with vertical ribs defines the three entrance gates.

The Baroque facade has Renaissance elements and a single bell tower on the left and ionic columns and capitals. The decoration of the facade is completed by three statues by Giandomenico and Antonino Gagini from 1541 , respectively Saint Mary Magdalene , a statue placed between the arched tympanums of the main entrance, Saint Peter the Apostle and Saint Paul the Apostle placed in the niches above the arched tympanums of the small entrances to the facade. In the top center is a wrought iron cross.

The statue of St. Calogero enriches the entrance on the right, marked by stairs, with the Mascherone fountain in Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The last artifact comes from the aggregate of the Church of Santa Maria delle Giummare. The left entrance of Vicolo Duomo is decorated with a statue of John the Baptist . All statues are probably parts of a gallery with ornaments made in the presbytery, later dismantled due to subsequent renovations to the interior.

During the 17th century renovation, the columns were changed into mighty pillars and the round arches. In the former church there were 14 chapels and 23 altars . Today there are four chapels in the nave, two in the transept, two apsidioles and a large chapel.

The ceiling of the nave is completely painted with the representation of the Throne of God and the heavenly court, a theme from the Apocalypse, on the sides ten squares with scenes from the life of Saint Mary Magdalene, on the central center axis are still two squares: one at the entrance and one at the choir with the Glory of Mary and the Transfiguration respectively. The entire pictorial cycle is the work of Tommaso Rossi,

In the niche of the upper altar is the statue of the Madonna del Soccorso by Giuliano Left-handed and Bartolomeo Berrettaro.

Willem Vandenameele