Church of Santa Maria di Gesù in Gangi
The Church of Santa Maria di Gesù in Gangi is a valuable building of worship in the village.
It was built in the 15th century in the lower part of the town centre.
The building is flanked by the imposing bell tower.< br> The simple facade, characterized by the rectilinear upper termination, is enriched by a large portal, richly decorated with bas-reliefs and, bearing on the pediment, another relief of the Madonna crowned by two angels. Some numbers are engraved on the key of the arch which are believed to be the year of construction of the portal, 1655, posthumous to the date of construction of the church. The portal is surmounted by a rectangular opening.
The bell tower has a high base with a square base and is divided into three orders by small cornices. The side of the base of the bell tower overlooking the square is characterized by the presence of a large pointed arch which gives access to the internal staircase to the base itself. Each order is characterized by the presence of mullioned windows and simple arched windows. At the end of the seventeenth century a spire was built on its bell tower, which today no longer exists due to structural stability problems.
The interior, with a single nave, finely decorated, has two side chapels.
Among the works kept inside the church, some works by Filippo Quattrocchi are of particular value: The Annunciation of Mary Virgin, considered the artist's sculptural masterpiece, is striking for the finesse of the features, the naturalness of expression and the color of the Angel and the kneeling Virgin; the statue of the Madonna with Child and a small Crucifix, located on the main altar; the wooden statues of San Vito and San Rocco.
The church is the seat of the Archconfraternity dedicated to Maria SS. Annunziata and established in 1797.
