Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Alcamo
The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is the Mother Church of Alcamo .
It was most likely founded in the second half of the 14th century, following the resumption of building activity started in 1340. Of the pre-existing structures, the interesting Gothic chapel of the Santa Spina , which dates back to to 1430, and the elegant little portal of the bell tower, which is today on the side facade, built in 1499 by Bartolomeo Berrettaro. Between 1700 and 1733, on a project by Angelo Italia and Giuseppe Diamante, various alterations were carried out following which the church assumed the basilica structure and its present appearance.
The façade, in tuff, has a layout neoclassical. The basilica with its bell tower overlooks Corso 6 Aprile, on a green square which also affects the adjacent via Buonarroti, where the side elevation of considerable interest can be appreciated.
The interior with three naves is divided by two rows of columns with monolithic shafts of red marble extracted from nearby Mount Bonifato. The stuccos are the work of the Curti family, the frescoes, among which the one on the vault, by Guglielmo Borremans, while the floor was designed by the architect Giuseppe Patricolo. valuable is the marble triptych of the Madonna between Saints Philip and James, an exquisite work by Antonello Gagini from 1519.
In the adjacent museum of sacred art valuable works are preserved, including a painted cross by 14th century.
