| 160 of 226. In 1578 the Benedictines completed the construction of a church adjoining their monastery. In 1669 the lava stream which slowly moved towards the town after an eruption of Mount Etna reached and destroyed the church. In 1687 the construction of a new building began, but it was suspended for thirty years after the 1693 earthquake. Because the church was built on top of porous and brittle lava, part of the foundation has given way due to its weight. Only the west wing of the cross is finished. The unfinished facade has a surreal appearance with its half-complete columns, and riddled with holes meant to hold affix marble facing. The interior however... |
