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Description
In the city centre, on the street with the same name, St. Elias Church is located. It is one of the monuments that was not destroyed by the 1908 Messina earthquake.
The site preserves the 1694 Baroque portal and, inside, part of the original plaster decoration and various frescos, refurbished in 1850, that illustrate the “Nativity,” “The Adoration of the Magi,” “The Boy Jesus at the Temple” and “The Baptism of Christ.” The works were made by the Filocamo brothers, two artists from Messina, who were well known in the early middle of the 18th Century.
To enter the church, you must go down the stairs, since the building is lower than ground floor level due to the Messina earthquake. In the middle of the main altar, there is a white marble statue of the Madonna della lettera.
In 1743, while the population was afflicted by the plague, the senate proclaimed St. Elias as protector of the city and every July 27th, they offered two 44-pound candles to the church. The ritual went on, culminating with the celebration of the high Mass.
The site preserves the 1694 Baroque portal and, inside, part of the original plaster decoration and various frescos, refurbished in 1850, that illustrate the “Nativity,” “The Adoration of the Magi,” “The Boy Jesus at the Temple” and “The Baptism of Christ.” The works were made by the Filocamo brothers, two artists from Messina, who were well known in the early middle of the 18th Century.
To enter the church, you must go down the stairs, since the building is lower than ground floor level due to the Messina earthquake. In the middle of the main altar, there is a white marble statue of the Madonna della lettera.
In 1743, while the population was afflicted by the plague, the senate proclaimed St. Elias as protector of the city and every July 27th, they offered two 44-pound candles to the church. The ritual went on, culminating with the celebration of the high Mass.