Overview
Located on top of the hill of San Matteo, the Church of Saint Matthew in Scicli dominates the town centre from above and offers breathtaking views as far as the sea.
It is difficult to accurately date the structure. Some documents testify to its existence since 313, when Christian worship was granted freedom to spread. Rebuilt in 1700 after the earthquake of 1693, today the structure is incomplete but two tiers are still visible on the façade: the lower one has three doorways and a series of columns, while the upper one features a central window decorated with naturalistic motifs.
Flanked by the bell tower at the height of the transept, the Church of St Matthew opens onto a large forecourt and conceals crypts used for burials in its interior beneath the flooring. It was the mother church of Scicli until 1874 when the title was moved to the church of St Ignatius.
Via San Matteo, 9, 97018 Scicli RG, Italia
