Mother Church in Delia
The Mother Church of Delia, also known as the Church of Santa Maria di Loreto, is the main place of worship in the village.
The origins of the church date back to 1300: it is in fact mentioned in documents from 1308-1310 where mention the tithes paid for its construction. Originally the church was dedicated to San Nicola di Mira and was of the Orthodox rite. The current building was built in 1500 on the ruins of the previous structure dedicated to Santa Maria di Loreto. Following the earthquake of 1693, the building suffered considerable damage and was rebuilt until it took on its current structure. Over the centuries it was in fact remodeled and enlarged: in 1795, with the contribution of the people who imposed a voluntary tax on bread, the panizzo, the structure was enlarged with the transept and the dome was built; in 1813 the clock was installed in the bell tower.
The façade, in stone, is in neoclassical style and has a portal and bell tower in late Baroque style. The central door is surmounted by a large rose window with an artistic stained glass window depicting the logo of the Jubilee of 2000.
The interior, in the shape of a Latin cross, is divided into three naves and is richly decorated with frescoes depicting the four evangelists in the vaults of the dome and episodes from the life of the Madonna in the barrel vault of the central nave.
Among the works kept in the church, of particular artistic value are: the carved and gilded wooden altars and the urn of the Christ of Scinnenza in which the baroque influence is evident; the canvas depicting Santa Rosalia, patron saint of the town, by Pietro D'Asaro da Racalmuto, known as the Monocolo; the ancient wooden crucifix which is believed to date back to before 1500 and come from the ancient Byzantine rite church of San Nicola. Christ is in fact depicted with his right hand blessing as is usual in the Greek rite; the baroque frame carved in walnut wood in which the three theological virtues alternate between volutes and cherubs; n precious reliquary of Sicilian master silversmiths.
