Church of Saint Agrippina
The Chapel of Saint Agrippina di Mineo is one of two Roman Catholic church buildings in the town of Mineo, province of Catania, Sicily, that dedicated to Saint Agrippina of Mineo, sometimes known as Saint Agrippina.
History
Agrippina is the Patron Saint of Mineo. The church of Sant’Agrippina is one of three Catholic Churches located in the town. Tradition holds this church shelters the relics of the Saint, leading it to become the center for her veneration and for prayers for her miracles.
The original structure of the church dates back to 1300. Only three semicircular apses of the calcareous stone have remained, while the interiors were refurbished in the 18th century.
The high altar has a bronze candelabrum (1593). In the 16th century, a polychrome wooden statue of Saint Agrippina was placed on a marble pedestal in the chapel on the right side of the church.
The church of Saint Agrippina was rebuilt after an earthquake struck Mineo in 1693. People can still admire the battlemented towers. Since the earthquake, much restoration work has been completed on the church and this includes:
- From the 17th century, in the dome of the church, there are four hexagonal columns that are covered in an embossed silver leaf
- From the 18th century, a wooden status of the Nativity scene was placed there. Numerous stuccoes adorn the ceiling to make an impression to represent scenes from the Old Testament and in the direction of the right there is a precious crib made from wood.
See also
- Chapel of Saint Agrippina di Mineo
Sources
- http://sicilia.indettaglio.it/eng/comuni/ct/mineo/mineo.html
- http://sicilia.indettaglio.it/eng/comuni/ct/mineo/turismo/turismo.html
- http://www.italien.com/Ferienregion/Sizilien/italy_sicily_catania_mineo.php