Complesso di Santa Maria della Croce
Franciscan complex of the 16th century on the Colle della Croce in Scicli, with convent, late Gothic church and oratory, open with a ticket.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Santa Maria della Croce complex is a religious site made up of a convent, a church, an oratory and two courtyards, and is one of the oldest buildings in Scicli. It was founded by the Friars Minor, the Franciscans, on top of the Colle della Croce: on the left side of the church façade the year 1528 is given as the year of foundation of the convent, while according to other sources the church dates from between the late 15th and the early 16th century.
The oratory, dedicated to the Madonna di Sion, is earlier and dates from the second half of the 15th century; its frescoes of the 15th and 16th centuries are now preserved in the church of Santa Teresa in Scicli. After Italian unification the complex was sold at auction and became private property; at the end of the 20th century it was expropriated by the Sicilian Region and restored in two phases, at a total cost of about €3 million.
The church, with a single nave and a semicircular apse, has a late Gothic façade with twisted columns and two arches. Church and convent retain late Gothic elements spared by the earthquake of 1693, which stand out in the city’s Baroque landscape. Today the complex is managed by the Parco archeologico di Kamarina e Cava d’Ispica.
Highlights
- Late Gothic façade with twisted columns
- Oratory of the Madonna di Sion (15th century)
- Franciscan convent of 1528
- Late Gothic elements that survived the earthquake of 1693
Permanent exhibition
- Convento, chiesa e oratorio – Visit to the rooms of the Franciscan convent, the late Gothic church and the oratory of the Madonna di Sion.
- Operated by
- Parco archeologico di Kamarina e Cava d'Ispica (Regione Siciliana)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 8,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2 |
Full ticket €4, reduced €2.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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