La sanctuary church It was built in 1392 dedicated to the Madonna and stands on the shore of Porto Ulisse from Catania, to Ognina.
Madonna di Ognina, the original sanctuary church
La Church of Santa Maria di Ognina, Also known as Our Lady of Ognina, stands in Piazza Ognina and is one of the religious buildings most loved by the people of Catania. It is located in fishing village a few steps from Marina or Porto Ulysses. It guards the beloved statue from the people of Catania of the Madonna whose feast is celebrated from 1 10 to September. Together with that of the Madonna del Carmelo, it is the most beloved celebration after that of the patron saint Agatha.
The original church named Santa Maria di Lògnina It dates back to 1300, built and annexed to an older Basilian (Greek) abbey, founded in 1174 by Roberto of Catania, who later became bishop of Catania. In 1392, on the remains of what was originally believed to be the Temple of Athena Longatis, the Church was erected, dedicated to Nativity of the Virgin by Bishop Simone del Pozzo.
The ancient church of Sant'Euplio
A few meters further on, in Piazza Mancini Battaglia, stood the church of Sant'Euplio, later incorporated into the church of Ognina, which in 1945 changed its name to Santa Maria di Ognina. church of St. Euplio It was demolished to build the main road, make way for the new seafront and encourage the growth of the population. It is located where today stands a votive shrine which houses a painting depicting the Madonna of Valverde.
The church and abbey suffered extensive damage during the various earthquakes that struck Catania. In particular, the 1693 earthquake caused the building to collapse. Only a few elements survived.
The sanctuary church today
Following the 1693 earthquake, the church was rebuilt on the same perimeter walls as the original building. On September 8, 1697, the church was consecrated by Bishop Andrea Riggio. In 1945, Archbishop Carmelo Patanè declared the parish autonomous. The building was restored after damage caused by bombing during World War II.
On September 8, 1990, L. Bommarito, Metropolitan Archbishop of Catania, declared the Church also Marian Shrine.
Part of its structure is now incorporated into the bridge which has sacrificed a good part of its space and the surrounding houses.
The outside
The external structure of the building presents a simple, clean and very linear architecture. Three colours dominate: black lava basalt used for the staircase in front of the church, the red which characterizes most of the facade and the white sandstone from Syracuse, which characterizes other decorative elements, including the Baroque portal. The façade ends with a tympanum enclosed by two slopes, which connect to two other linear elements.
The interior
It has three naves divided by twelve pillars with ten oval arches. In the right aisle is a baptistery painted in pure gold with Baroque-style angel statues and a bas-relief by an unknown artist depicting the Baptism of Jesus. There is also an altar containing a painting of the Madonna del Carmelo, a work by artists belonging to the Neapolitan School (17th century). The first side altar in the right aisle features a beautiful canvas by Tullio Allegra, from 1906, depicting Saint Euplio.
There is also another side entrance, also featuring a portal. Further along, we find the canvas of the Nativity with the Holy Family and the adoring shepherds, framed by a Baroque wooden decoration in pure gold.
In the left nave are: the altar of Our Lady of Louredes, the tomb of the spouses “Marcello Inguscio and Anna Maria Ritter”, the canvas depicting “Mary as a child with her holy parents Joachim and Anna”.
The central apse houses the high altar, surmounted by a niche housing the statue of the Madonna and Child in French breccia. The high altar is entirely made of white Carrara marble. Next to it are two canvases depicting the "Madonna's Procession at Sea" and the "Miracle of Jesus at the Wedding at Cana."
In the vault are the Baron's frescoes: "The Apotheosis of Faith", "The Coronation of Mary", "The Visitation" and "The Nativity".
Interesting facts about the sanctuary church of the Madonna di Ognina
On the facade of the sanctuary church, a stained glass window hides a mechanism that at 20 pm every day causes a small statue of the Madonna to emerge from the niche reciting the Ave Maria and playing a melody.
The church was depicted in a watercolour by the French painter Jean Hoüel, Voyage pittoresque In 1776-1779, he visited Catania during his Grand Tour, having been struck by many of its architectural works illustrated by Prince Biscari. The work is preserved in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Next to the church stands the ancient watchtower built in 1300. The tower suffered damage in the earthquake of 1542, and was restored shortly after and further after 1693. It stands inside the courtyard of the church, built on the remains of the Greek castle of “Italicon", recalled by Diodorus Siculus. On September 1st, the blue flag is raised in the tower, marking the beginning of the Marian celebrations.
The people of Catania affectionately call it the Church of the “Bammina”.
Cover photo by S. Portale. Source: http://www.santamariadiognina.it/
