San Giuseppe, Siracusa
| San Giuseppe | |
|---|---|
 Facade | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | former Catholic Church |
| Province | Siracusa |
| Location | |
| Location | Siracusa, Italy |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Church |
| Style | Baroque |
| Completed | 1727 |
San Giuseppe (St Joseph) is a
Description
Like many churches in Siracusa, early documentation is sparse. The present church was built in the 18th century, atop the ruins of a church dedicated to San Fantino. That church had followed Greek orthodox rites. To raise the funds to build a new church, the Confraternity of the Falegnami (carpenters), sold their prior church, San Giuseppe il Vecchio, located on vicolo Santa Anna to the Congregation of the Coccieri e Staffieri (coachmen and grooms). That old church was soon demolished.
Construction of San Giuseppe was led by Carmelo Bonaiuto, alled[check spelling] Carancino, and completed in 1773. The piazza in past centuries was surrounded by two large monasteries: that of Aracoeli and San Domenico. The latter's church is across the piazza. Also across the piazza is the former Palazzo Midiri, now home to a nautical institute.
The front and lateral portals of the church are approached through stairs. Atop the portal are two heraldic shields, one surmounted by a crown.
The church is badly in need of repairs, both inside and the exterior. The niches in the exterior are bare. The interior once housed a copy of Caravaggio's altarpiece depicting the Burial of St Lucy by his follower Mario Minniti. The church has suffered from vandalism and burglary.[1]
References
- ^ Derived from Architettura religiosa in Ortigia by Lucia Acerra; Ediprint (1995); cited in Antonio Randazzo, site describing churches of Syracuse.