Church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Melilli
The church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Melilli, with the adjoining convent of the Friars Minor Observant, is located in the Torre district of the city.
Its construction dates back to the early 16th century.
The facade is embellished with a portal , covered with six large bronze panels, with scenes in bas-relief, created by the Catania sculptor Domenico Girbino, depicting Sant'Antonio Abate.
On the back of the church, in an adjacent position, stands the tall bell tower with a clock clearly visible from every part of the country. One of the two bells placed on the tower is the oldest in Melilli, and dates back to 1526.
The interior of the church, with a single nave, with a wooden trussed ceiling, houses a high altar in polychrome marble. Inside the church you can admire two oval paintings on canvas, by unknown artists, depicting "San Benedetto and Santa Scolastica" and "The glory of San Benedetto". On the four stone side altars are the sculptures of Sant'Antonio Abate, Sant'Anna Mother of Mary, the Madonna Child and Ecce Homo. The latter represents Christ seated with a crown of thorns on his head, his hands tied holding a cane, partially covered by a red cloak and with his flesh tortured by the scourges inflicted by Roman soldiers.
