Church of San Giovanni Battista in Chiaramonte Gulfi
The Church of San Giovanni Battista in Chiaramonte Gulfi, whose complete name is Commendal Church of the Order of St. John the Baptist, is closely linked to the Order of the Knights of Malta .
It was built in the 14th century by the Knights of Malta and annexed to the Commenda Gerosolimitana of Modica and Randazzo. The current structure dates back to the last renovations after the 1693 Val di Noto earthquake.
The facade dates back to the 19th century. It has a pyramidal structure divided into three orders. On the first order we find a large wooden entrance portal flanked by two imposing columns at the tops of which are placed Corinthian capitals. The second order, very simple, has a large central window. On the third order there is a bell tower structured in three arches, each of which has a bell.
The interior, divided into three naves, is enriched by the stucco work of Gianforma and has valuable oval columns representing the life of the forerunner dating back to 1550.
Among the works kept inside the church of particular interest are: the painting dedicated to the Mother of Mercy, co-owner of the Confraternity, attributed to Dürer; the picture of the owner of the direct school of Caravaggio painted in Malta in the eighteenth century; the painting of the Nativity by Vito D'Anna; the statue of Christ at the column from the first half of the 19th century, the work of Carmelo Distefano.
The crypt of the brotherhood located in the basement is of great value.
