San Nicolò l'Arena, Catania

37.504245887654214°N 15.080632186294066°E / 37.504245887654214; 15.080632186294066 San Nicolò l'Arena is the title of both the Roman Catholic church and its adjacent and enormous Benedictine monastery (Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena) in the city of Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. The facade of the church faces Piazza Dante.

Unfinished facade of San Nicolo

History and description
Original plan for church facade
Dome of the church with viewing veranda overlooking the town
View in the nave towards the apse

The construction of this church begun in 1687, using designs of Giovanni Battista Contini, was interrupted by the profound effects of the 1693 Sicily earthquake. Reconstruction began in the 17th-century under different architects, including Francesco Battaglia and Stefano Ittar, but the facade was never finished, and presently has a surreal appearance with half-complete columns, and riddled with holes meant to hold affix marble facing. The dome was completed in 1796 by Ittar. The wide interior has massive pilasters and three naves. The main altar is surrounded by wooden choir stalls for the monks; the latter were carved by Nicolò Bagnasco. The main organ, still functioning was completed by abate Donato del Piano.

Transept altar with sundial on ground

On the church Transept floor is a sundial completed in 1841 by Wolfrang Sartorius, Baron of Waltershausen, of Göttingen, and professor Christian Peters from Flensburg.[1]

Among the altarpieces in the church are:[2]

  • Nativity (1792) by Stefano Tofanelli
    Nativity (1792) by Stefano Tofanelli
  • Martyrdom of St Andrew (1805) by Ferdinando Boudard
    Martyrdom of St Andrew (1805) by Ferdinando Boudard
  • Martyrdom of St Agatha (1784) by Mariano Rossi
    Martyrdom of St Agatha (1784) by Mariano Rossi
  • St Gregory the Great sends St Augustine to apostolize England (1829) by Vincenzo Cammuccini
    St Gregory the Great sends St Augustine to apostolize England (1829) by Vincenzo Cammuccini
  • Decollation of St John the Baptist (1810) by Stefano Tofanelli
    Decollation of St John the Baptist (1810) by Stefano Tofanelli

References
  1. Comune of Catania, entry on church.
  2. Comune of Catania, entry on church.
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