Church and Convent of the Capuchins in Gangi
The Capuchin Convent and the adjoining Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Gangi, better known as the Church of the Convent, is a grandiose religious complex in the village.
It was built from 1695 until 1710 at the foot of the town, on the southern slope of Monte Marone. It is a quadrangular-shaped complex where the Church occupies the north-west wing.
The church has an asymmetrical gabled façade with a stone panel surmounted by a rectangular opening.
The interior, divided into two naves, is covered by barrel vaults with lunettes.
Of notable artistic value are the wooden works with inlay that constitute the main ornament of the church: the very high Poster and sacred custody, masterpiece of baroque art. The postergale has a conical shape and is divided into several overlapping architectural orders, with twisted columns for two thirds of their height and one third decorated with very fine bas-reliefs. The valuable wooden case is decorated with statuettes, angels in relief and seraphim. In the middle of the poster there is a very large canvas, the work of Friar Umile da Messina, from 1644. Above this canvas, there are three other small paintings, set in the same pattern of frames.
Of particular interest is a small < b>museum of Capuchin relicslocated in the ancient crypt of the church, which can be accessed from the ancient cloister of the convent.
