Erice Cathedral

Erice Cathedral, built in 1314, was consecrated to the Assunta Virgin Mary.

The former oratory chapel, had been built in the time of Costantino and it underwent a big transformation following the Gothic taste by will of Federico III Aragonese. Nine crosses coming from the pagan temple of Venus Erycina were fixed on the right out wall.

The former oratory chapel, had been built in the time of Costantino and it underwent a big transformation following the Gothic taste by will of Federico III Aragonese. Nine crosses coming from the pagan temple of Venus Erycina were fixed on the right out wall. During the Sicilian Vespers was built a squared defense tower which later in the XIV became a bell tower with mullioned windows. The plan had a Basilican shape with three aisles and  decorated vaults. The pronao was added in 1426. Later more little chapels and hand-made works of art were built next to the side aisles: San Nicola Chapel, San Giuseppe Chapel and the vestry rooms behind the main Chapel. In 1715 the church was interdicted because of a crime which bloodstained its floor and consecrated again later in the same year by the Bishop Castelli. Other archbishops ordered many a structural change that made the building weaker and weaker, besides to chaotic in its look and, when the vaults collapsed in 1858, the whole building’s nucleus was pulled down to be built again. The present Cathedral lays on sheafed Corinthian columns and pillars; pedestals, bases and capitals are neo-Gothic. Even the vault on the central aisle is neo- Gothic with its pointed arch. Inside the church are preserved several works of art: sculptures, paintings, and handicraft works by famous artists like Domenico Gagini and Giuliano Mancino. The rose window has replaced a former round large slab with three loopholes. The main door is an example of Chiaramontana architecture, while the sidemen is a Catalan door with its diamond ashlars. On the west outer wall there is a stone altar with a cross fine-bordered with tufas; it had been built in 1852 and used during easter celebrations. Lately a sort of museum is kept inside the room of the left side chapels.