Church of San Martino in Erice
The Church of San Martino di Erice , located in the square of the same name, is one of the most elegant and characteristic churches of the village.
The first document attesting the presence of the church dates back to 1339. Later , in 1682, using the huge inheritance of Pietro Salerno and with funds from the Congregation of Purgatory, the current church of San Martino was built on the ruins of the previous one.
The simple facade, on which stands the small tower of the 'clock, has a single decorative element: the monumental entrance with baroque portal consisting of Ionic columns with Corinthian capitals placed on high plinths, the lower shaft has a spiral decoration and phytomorphic garlands with helical development. The columns support a tympanum defined by protruding nuts and cornices surmounted by curled volutes and half-shells, closing two sculptures depicting the Souls in Purgatory.
In the side elevation of the church there is one of the oldest votive shrines in the city.
The interior has a basilica plan with three naves divided by columns. The flooring is embellished with marble tombstones dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and majolica tiles that reproduce an original design of the 1700s. Along the vault of the central nave are made four broad bricks and eight octagons in the sails depicting biblical characters. The vaults are covered with stuccos and frescoes dating back to 1858.
Of exquisite workmanship are: the carved wooden choir by Bernardo Castelli; and the wooden statue of San Martino on horseback, by G. Curatolo.
