Completed the conservative restoration work on the fresco cycle within the cloister of the convent annexed to the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù in Catania, a precious artistic and historical testimony to the city.
Conservative restoration work on the frescoes in the cloister of SM di Gesù
we at ItCatania we have dedicated space to one of the most beautiful and ancient churches of our city, that is the church of SM di Gesù which, thanks to the work of the Franciscan friars, led by Brother Massimo Corallo, have restored this place to its former splendor and further enhanced its value. For years, and despite many difficulties and obstacles, the friars fought to make this site a cultural center accessible to all.
The ceremony marking the end of the restoration work on the fresco cycle
Le precious works of art were returned to the city during the official ceremony held on February 24th in the presence of the extraordinary commissioner of the Metropolitan City and the Municipality, Piero Mattei, of the vice prefect, Giuseppina Di Dio Datola, of theArchbishop of Catania, Monsignor Luigi Renna and Superintendent for Cultural Heritage, Donatella Aprile, of the parish priest Friar Massimo Corallo and of others civil authorities.
The stages of restoration
The intervention is financed by the Sicily Region, in particular from theRegional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity and carried out under the guidance of the Superintendency for Cultural Heritage of Catania.
Before restoration, the fresco cycle was badly damaged by time, by the transformation of the structure into a workshop and laboratory, by the weathering as well as by the damage caused by the students of the adjacent institute.
Today the cycle shines again, witness to the beauty of a time and a special place capable of welcoming in silence, where the spirit finds wonder and recollection.
The restoration of the pictorial cycle, carried out by workers from the Cilia company, began on September 14 and was completed in early December 2022.
The frescoes of the cloister of SM di Gesù
The frescoes, created during the 18th and early 19th centuries, are the work of a Roman-trained painter, likely a friar, and present a visual narrative of key moments in the life of Saint Francis and of saints associated with Franciscanism. The cycle originally consisted of 36 clypei, of which only 29 are still legible today.
Other interventions in the cloister of Santa Maria di Gesù
The Superintendency of Catania is working to further enhance the site and the recovered works. Plans are underway to repair the flooring, redesign the open-air space, and install a lighting system for the cloister.
The interventions inside the church of Santa Maria di Gesù
In recent months, restoration work has been carried out on the beautiful statue of the Madonna and Child of the Gagini and on the baroque temple placed in the altar, characterised by polychrome wooden inlays according to the typical Capuchin workmanship and decoration.
The friars also recreated a copy of theancient triptych di Antonello de Saliba lost.
The Church of Santa Maria di Gesù is one of the most important places of worship in the city of Catania, a unique place of great beauty to be discovered and protected.
