Church of the Carmine Vecchio in Francofonte
The Church of Carmine Vecchio in Francofonte, also known as the former Church of Santa Maria dei Genovesi, is now reduced to a state of ruins.
It was built in the second half of the 15th century by a group of Genoese settlers from Caltagirone, which here formed a township. Characteristic elements of this village were the gesser, pits dug into the ground used for storing grain. Following the earthquake of 1693, the church and the adjoining convent were razed to the ground, and built in a new location, precisely in the place where the church of S. Sebastiano once stood, which was also completely destroyed by the devastating force of the earthquake.
The only elements of the church still visible today are the walls of the south side and the back side, closed at the corners by two buttresses made with small sandstone ashlars.
Following the earthquake of 1693 some sacred objects were recovered between the rubble and transported to the new church. Of particular value is the large canvas of the Madonna del Carmine dating back to the 15th century.
