Badia di Sant'Agata (Church of the Abbey of Saint Agata), Catania

The Church of the Abbey of Saint Agatha (Badia di Sant'Agata), a masterpiece of 18th-century Baroque architecture, stands prominently in Catania, Italy, across the street from the left transept of the city’s cathedral. This Roman Catholic church, part of a female Benedictine convent, is dedicated to Saint Agatha, the patron saint of Catania, and embodies a rich history intertwined with resilience and devotion.

The nunnery was originally founded in 1620 under the Benedictine rule. However, the devastating 1693 earthquake destroyed the convent, claiming the lives of 15 of its 28 nuns. Reconstruction efforts began modestly with cloisters and a perimeter fence, but the ambitious rebuilding of the church itself only commenced in 1736 under the architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini. His design incorporated a surviving 17th-century portal by Giovanni Maria Amato, preserving a tangible link to the pre-earthquake structure.

The church’s façade, completed by 1742, exudes Baroque elegance, while the octagonal dome, finished in 1768, offers panoramic views of Catania and the imposing Mount Etna. The elongated octagonal interior features a harmonious blend of white marble flooring and yellow Castronovo marble, handpicked by the architect Nicolò Daniele. A metal grill behind the main altar enables the cloistered nuns to observe mass discreetly, while a glass chandelier hangs beneath the dome, adding a touch of grandeur.

The side altars house stucco statues crafted in 1782 by Giovanni Battista Marino, Mario Biondo, and Giovanni Battista Amato, depicting Saint Benedict, the Immaculate Conception, Saint Joseph, and Saint Euplio. The centerpiece of the main altar is a striking statue of Saint Agatha, a fitting tribute to the saint to whom the church is dedicated.

The church was consecrated in 1796, marking its completion as a spiritual and architectural triumph. Over the centuries, the structure endured additional challenges, including earthquake damage in 1990. A comprehensive restoration completed in 2012 ensured its preservation for future generations.