Church of San Giovanni Battista in Avola
The Church of San Giovanni Battista in Avola is the largest and internally richest church in the city.
It stands on the site where Porta Siracusa was originally located and was built starting in 1700, it was blessed in 1744, it was redesigned in 1772 and reopened for worship in 1852.
The monumental façade is incomplete but shows valuable architectural elements. It is divided into two orders separated by a massive cornice with fine carvings: the first order is divided into three parts by pilasters ending with richly carved capitals. The central portal is flanked by two monumental columns with finely carved capitals; the second order is incomplete.
The interior, divided into three naves by Corinthian pillars, is finely decorated with neoclassical motifs in white-blue tones. The vault of the central nave presents scenes from the life of Saint John the Baptist by the painter Gregorio Scalia, also the author of the paintings on the altars of the side naves.
Among the works kept inside the church of particular value are: the 18th century altarpiece century with The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan placed on the main altar; five canvases that tell the Stories of San Corrado from ancient Avola; the wooden statue created in 1874 by Raffaele Abbate; the neo-Gothic style organ, the work of Sebastiano Calcerano Platania from Acireale.
