Church of Santa Maria della Guardia in Belpasso
The Church of Santa Maria della Guardia in Belpasso is an important building of worship in the Etna village.
The grandeur of the Church is probably linked to the competition between the various villages in the lands of Malpasso, now neighborhoods of Belpasso. In fact, the church has a basic plan despite the fact that at the time of construction only a few inhabitants lived in the neighborhood.
The tripartite façade is in late Baroque style. It has a central part with two orders with a convex layout and is flanked by an eclectic style bell tower completed in 1933.
The interior, with a basic plan, is divided into three naves and features early twentieth century eclectic style decorations. The paintings inserted in the vaults, created on a mosaic of golden tiles, are also of eclectic taste. The main altar, in marble, was created using pieces of the ancient altar.
Of particular value is the eighteenth-century statue of the Madonna della Guardia.
