Church of Itria in Castelbuono
The Church of Itria in Castelbuono, dedicated to Maria Odigitria and Sant'Anna, is an ancient place of worship located along the main street of the village.
It was built in the first half of the 16th century.
The façade, unique and rectangular with a soaring bell tower, is in Romanesque style and differs from the style of other minor churches in Castelbuono. The portal was decorated in the 17th century with volutes and the statues of Sant'Anna, in the center, and San Pietro and San Paolo on the sides, known locally as the Babbi i l'Itria for their expressive similarity with the characters of the nativity scene.
The interior, with a single nave, has four side altars. The main altar is in Baroque style.
Of particular value is the canvas of the Madonna Odigitria attributed to Gaspare Vazzano, known as the Zoppo di Gangi, a work dating back to 1586. It is placed inside a large frame of scrolls and squiggles and depicts two elderly religious men in the act of carrying a large chest on their shoulders from which the Madonna emerges half-length with the child in her arms.
