Basilica of St. Sebastian, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto

The Cathedral of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto or Duomo of Saint Sebastian or Duomo of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, exact full name Minor Basilica of Saint Sebastian, is in Piazza Duomo and the main façade faces in Roma Street. It is the largest of the churches of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, in the province second only to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta Messina. The engineer Barbaro nephew of Monsignor Barbaro directs the work performed by the firm Fratelli Cardillo, collaborated in the construction of the Shrine of Christ the King, a contemporary work of the Cathedral of Saint sebastian.

Notes to the cult of St. Sebastian

The cult of Saint Sebastian in many centers in Sicily dates back to 1300, when the martyr of Narbonne, originally from Milan, considered the protector against epidemics of bubonic plague, encouraged the construction of many churches. Takes root in the village of "Barsalona" on the west side of the river Longano and fraction of Castroreale around 1500, replacing the then patron St. Nicholas of Bari. Military tactics at Egyptians, Persian people, Greek and Roman resorted to the arrows to pollute, poison, infect the goals of conquest, Saint sebastian survives its first martyrdom by arrows by transposition becomes the figure of protector against all outbreaks of those who are infected, allegorically arrows represent epidemics.^{[clarification needed]} The scourge of black death raging on the island in 1347, 1449, 1524, (1575 - 1578) to the north Italy better known as plague of St.Charles Borromeo mentioned in The Betrothed (Manzoni novel), also due to wars, displacement and migration, causing great havoc species in the province and especially in the city of Messina. The unsanitary conditions, lack of prophylaxis, the non-existent treatments are easy means for conveying the infectious form that manifests itself in all its virulence especially in the cities of the sea for the presence of ports and related maritime trade with the areas most at risk.

The Basilica

Following the Union of Administrative Barcellona and Pozzo di Gotto of 1836 and the consequent doubling of the population, it is necessary to build a new temple that can accommodate a greater number of the faithful, who worthily represents the Christian community and it's historical landmark, artistic and religious center of the new town. The acceleration of the realization of the project is given by the disastrous 1908 Messina earthquake that seriously harms the old Cathedral of Saint sebastian making it unusable for a few years of the stability, at first demolished parts of the most dangerous and shored up the roof, to the urgent needs of the cult is reopened, without neglecting the reasons for the rising urban developments: the old cathedral would prevent trace the road axis from today consists of Roma Street, natural outlet access to the Railway Station, also today it moved along the new path of the double-track line. The primitive temple completed in 1606 formed with the adjacent Church of Agonizing, Placido Mandanici Theatre destroyed by a fire in 1967, the Mount of piety the old city of Barcellona, until the first decades of the 1900 when it is completely demolished with the conclusion of the new Cathedral. Adoption of the draft April 1 1931. The construction started on January 25 1932, which ended October 30 1935, which was inaugurated on March 25 1936 by the Archbishop of Messina Monsignor Angelo Paino. The arrangement of the square in front of the elevation and ended with the dedication of the Cathedral Basilica by SE Cardinal Angelo Sodano September 18 1992.

The facade

To stand in front of the Basilica you will discover an impressive analogy: the facade is reminiscent of the Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle in Rome in Corso Vittorio Emanuele. In fact, during the presentation of the project, the architect of exhibits clearly inspired by the Roman Basilica, both in the prospectus for the plant building. For the Dome draws inspiration in the creation of his fellow Filippo Juvarra of the Dome of the Basilica of Superga. What for the neophyte, the tourist, the admirer, it is a mere statement of fact, a careful reading of documents and in accordance with simple reasoning related to the history of architecture, it detects the right mix of creative ideas. The Dome of the ribs of the Temple bined Turin simplified and lightened, will be the culmination of the Shrine of Christ the King totally derived from the plant Juvarra whose realization Barbaro worked. Same dome for the contemporary Cathedral of Barcellona, which in shape, size and style is very similar to the Dome of the New Cathedral of Brescia is missing the windows round the base of the spherical cap. In the realization in Barcellona, terraces lining the aisles are much wider and this has allowed the execution of two front inputs minors. The facade resembles to a modern representation of the neo-classical style with two orders of columns surmounted by Corinthian capitals framing the window, the main entrance and the side niches. The body of the eight central columns is slightly protruding with respect to side group, the group the four internal columns are more advanced creating the realization of a tympanum and embossed character lively and dynamic. Inside the eardrum of gable a frieze decorated with carved elements cardinals and scalloped bearing a palm tree between two lions. The coat of arms and motto SOLUS CUM SOLO DEO can be traced back to the order of Saint Paul. Inputs window and balcony framed between columns surmounted by an arc, arc broken and triangle. Niches surmounted by pediments order for a triangle and bow. The niches of the main façade were enriched by four statues works of Domenico Farina, Saint Peter, St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine of Siena, creating a delicate contrast between the bright white building of marble and stones from the quarries of Billiemi and Comiso.

On the inner wall of the entrance from top to bottom and from right to left The Creation,The Expulsion from Eden or Original Sin,God and the tables of the Commandments, The Baptism in the Jordan of Gino Colapietro 1997.

The main nave

The basilica is a Latin cross with a large central nave with a barrel vault adorned with friezes, rosettes and stucco, along the aisles with five arches each are arranged six altars and two side entrances .

The interior space is divided into three naves by means of strong pillars on which there are large arches embellished by pilasters twin. The aisle station is about 25 meters from the inner to the transept, 16 meters wide and 23 meters high, visually and acoustically constitutes the architectural feature of the building.

The south aisle south side

In the first bay to the right, is the marble inscription reproduces the text of the Papal Bull of Pope John Paul II decretante publication 9 November 1989. Elevation Basilica February 9 1991. Dedication Ceremony on September 18 1992.

Second bay: Altar dedicated to Virgin of agonizing from the Church of agonizing (end of century XVI - early XVII century). Of Philip Jannelli (1621 c. - 1696) is the altarpiece painted oil on canvas Virgin of agonizing from St. Michael the Archangel, St. Camillus de Lellis and St. Joseph 1655 (?) . Pilasters surmounted by broken pediment symmetrical. Refined tabernacle depicting temple colonnade surmounted by a crown.

Third bay: Input the south side.

Fourth bay: Altar dedicated to the Patriarch St. Joseph from the Old Cathedral (end of century XVI - early XVII century). The painting St. Joseph performed by Santa Rugolo 1942 is the altarpiece. Pilasters surmounted by broken pediment (Tympanum (architecture)) arched symmetrical, with central stele. Most valuable altar frontal marble.

Fifth bay: Altar dedicated to Our Lady of Graces coopatron saint of the city from the Old Duomo (late sixteenth century - beginning of the seventeenth century). Pilasters surmounted by broken pediment arched symmetrical, with central stele.

The left aisle north side

In the first bay on the left was originally placed the baptismal font now transferred to the altar. On the walls the memorial plaque stating the date of dedication March 25 1936 and the dedication of June 8 1986, a commemorative plaque showing the construction of the cathedral to the work of the Archbishop of Messina Monsignor Angelo Paino.

Second bay: Altar dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, of recent 1940. Pilasters surmounted by broken pediment symmetrical, with central stele.

Third bay: Input the north side.

Fourth bay: Altar dedicated to Triumph of the Cross between Jesus and Mary from the Old Cathedral (end of century XVI - early XVII century). Of Philip Jannelli (1621 c . - 1696) is the altarpiece painted oil on canvas Jesus and Mary and the Triumph of the Cross. Pilasters surmounted by broken pediment arched symmetrical, with central stele. Most valuable altar frontal marble.

Fifth bay: Altar dedicated to Sacred Heart of Jesus from the Old Cathedral (end of century XVI - early XVII century). It has a double pair of columns, the inner prospectively most advanced surmounted by broken pediment symmetrical.

The transept

In the south transept a modern, linear and sumptuous marble altar classic work of Antonino Antonuccio, consisting of pillars (pilasters) bined with Corinthian capitals and surmounted by broken pediment symmetrically connected with two volute down regents a disc surmounted by a vase. At the extremes of the dynamic entablature two other vessels, in the niche framed by pilasters and arched tympanum is preserved eighteenth-century wooden statue of St. Sebastian which is carried in procession. It overlooks the choir a seventeenth-century painting depicting scenes from the life of St. Christopher. In the fresco depicting the Miraculous Draught of Fishes by Gino Colapietro 1994 on the north wall of the transept, the features of the characters recall the faces of citizens among which the principal face of the archpriest, all above three austere but valuable denominational work of the cabinetmaker local Antonio Genovese based on drawings by Salvatore Crinò dating back to the '60s. In a box you can see the painting of the Virgin and Child with Saint Francis of Gaspare Camarda (1606) .

Were made of the four mosaics depicting The Annunciation, The Nativity, The Adoration of the Magi and The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple Claudio Traversi. Externally are reproduced the figures of St. Nicholas of Bari and San Francesco di Paola behind the bronze statue of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, 2001 .

--------------- North transept -------------------	---------------- South transept -------------------
The Nativity	The Annunciation
Saint Nicholas of Bari (External)	Saint Francesco of Paola" (External)
The Adoration of the Magi	The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

The altar

On the main altar in polychrome marble, whose pediment depicts the elevation of a Roman temple with a double broken pediment overlaid and symmetrical, with central memorial stele, all recalls the style of the prospectus of the facade between columns and Corinthian capitals is on the canvas depicting the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian where Irene of Rome in mourning retrieves the body of the saint, a maid and St. Nicholas of Bari kneeling, former protector of the village of Barsalona, the work of Giacomo Conti (artist) 1879. Complete the scene the Madonna in Glory identified with Our Lady of Graces coo-Patron saint of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto between hosts of angels, cherubim and seraphim, thrones and dominations. The marble work performed by Salvatore Manganaro directed by Maria Mento, Angela Mento was completed in 1960. The Christ Pantocrator in the apse is the work of Filippo Minolfi created in 1984. The Cathedral containing many paintings of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, on the left side of the altar stands the painting of the nineteenth century depicting the Madonna of Carmel and Saints, Saint Roch, St. Paulinus of Nola and Saint Catherine of Alexandria of Cesare De Napoli.

The doors

The anterior approach to the basilica is secured by three doors, a time of wood, which have been replaced with bronze doors .

The great bronze door of the nave by Ennio Tesei , with panels depicting scenes from the life of Saint Sebastian. The six panels depicting : The first martyrdom with arrows, The second martyrdom with flogging to death, the palms of martyrdom are the handles of the two doors, The care of St. Irene, the Sermons of St. Sebastian, the meeting with the Emperor Diocletian,the Cloaca Maxima, performed 1990.

The door is topped with fluted frieze bearing the symbols of martyrdom: the arrows and their crown and palm.

The right door, the work of George Luzzietti, with panels depicting Pentecost,Ascension,The Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes,The Miraculous, The Marriage at Cana and The Resurrection of Lazarus.

The door left, the work of Claudio Traversi, with panels depicting scenes from the Flood,The Tables of the Law and the Burning Bush,The Church of the Basilian,The old Cathedral of St. Sebastian, the New Basilica and a panel dedicated to Monsignor Angelo Paino, said The Rebuilder, made in 1991.

The dome

With its 16 meters in diameter, 8 m in height, with the lantern, the dome is the emblem of the basilica and one of the symbols of the entire city.

The octagonal dome rises to low scale and is lit by eight windows arranged in the drum and eight goggles arranged in the curve and is crowned by a lantern which is also octagonal .

It rests on a high open drum eight rectangular windows, separated by as many ribs defined on the outside by a theory of coupled columns.

In the round of plumes at the base of the drum played the four Evangelists in 1986 by Filippo Minolfi, the eight rectangular windows on the drum of the dome made in the early 90's by Salvatore Gervasi .

The size of the basilica

The Basilica of Saint Sebastian is the second largest Catholic church in the province of Messina.

Several changes have led to changes, especially the elevation to the Basilica. Disappearance of the primitive front staircase, balustrade and railing that separated the transept from the high altar, the "table" under the dome, restored with the table altar "coram populo" as available have changed pulpit and baptismal font. The arrangement of some of the works on display: the paintings that encircle the altar. Replaced the old windows with stained glass stained glass. In 2000, were made the new Chapel of the Confessions, the Chapel of the Holy Sacramento, completely rearranged the rooms of the rectory of the parish offices and corridors, fully restored the sacristy with a new marble floor and new cabinets, changed the layout of the presbytery with a new pulpit, baptismal font moved and the console of organ, built the wooden stage for the choir in the right transept.

Windows apse . "Sacred Heart" on the right side of the apse, by the brothers Lindo Grassi and Alessandro Grassi [1] year 1970 and "Immaculate Heart of Mary" on the left side of the apse, the work of Cupelloni year 1992.

"Saint sebastian" on the window of the main façade loggia, by brothers Grassi.

Windows nave . "Resurrection", "The Crucifixion", "St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Jude", "St. Dominic and St. Francis of Assisi", "Saint Eustochia Smeralda Calafato and Saint Clare of Assisi","St. Andrew and St. Philip","St. James, son of Zebedee and St. Bartholomew", "Saint Peter and St. Paul","St. Simon and St. Matthew","St. John the Evangelist and St. Matthias","St. Nicholas and St. Basil","Saint Agatha and Saint Lucia", works of the Father Alberto Farina year 1991.

Windows round chapels. "Sacred Heart of Jesus", "Lady of Fatima", "Saint Joseph", "Souls in Purgatory", "Triumph of the Cross", "St. Anthony of Padua", "The Holy Spirit", " St. Christopher", works of Claudio Traversi year 1992.

Windows drum Dome. Eight rectangular windows in the drum of the dome by Salvatore Gervasi.

The choir

The presbytery composed of wooden seats of classic taste, made in September 1985 by Beloved Saints, designed by Angela and Maria Mento.

The organ

The organ of the basilica was built by Tamburini of Crema, Lombardy in 1967. The bodies are two organ, located in the transepts of the choir of the Basilica respectively Cornu Epistulae and Cornu Evangelii, consisting of 2,760 barrels (located in two rooms on the corner of apse (organ pipe) and transect (trumpet)), a console with three keyboards, 61 keys, a pedal pedals 32 and 41 registers real sound. Following the instrument of the Cathedral of Messina, was at the time of installation the second largest organ in the entire province.

The bells

In 1989 nine new bells foundry sheds in Catania, the largest of which are 109 cm in diameter and perfectly matched in tone gradual decreasing replace the bells of the old cathedral, with mallet percussion, the first three also expanse. A completion was finally realized in a clock chimes complete with four quadrants of 169 cm in diameter each.

The sacristy

In sacristy located behind the apse and communicating with ambulatory and transept from both sides are kept: the sarcophagus of the philanthropist Giovanni Spagnolo (1791), a marble statue of the Madonna of the Rest (end of century XVI - early XVII century); ten canvases in mixed-line frame of the eighteenth century with scenes from the life of Saint Sebastian, a relic of the eighteenth century and a wrap organ wooden carvings from the early eighteenth century.

Archpriest

Archpriest is the dean between the priests of a parish, responsible for the proper performance of ecclesiastical duties and to the lifestyle of the priests submitted to it.

Archpriest Nunziato Bonsignore to guide of the Arcipretura from 1914 to 1941.
Monsignor Domenico D' Arro.
Monsignor Salvatore Stracquadaini.
Monsignor Francesco Mento (1911 - 2007) to guide of the Basilica from 1958 to 2001.
Father Francesco Farsaci.

Trivia

Until the early 1900s during the processions of 20 January was the custom to throw chickpeas against the statue of the saint as a form and as a devotional act of liberation from sin, custom no longer allowed by the ecclesiastical authorities. Other anthropological aspect inherent to the act is the form of thanksgiving for having fed the prisoners and the poor in Rome, nevertheless, for the work of evangelization carried out at the cost of supreme sacrifice.

The Ciaurrina, candy nail stretch typical in Barcellona, packed during the festivities of Saint Sebastian, whose preparation or rather, the initial pressing of manual paste of honey reminiscent of the arc voltage and the stroke of the arrows.

U brazzu di San Bastianu phrase. In the cathedral is guarded a priceless relic that is the bone of the forearm of the holy martyr said Brazzu of San Bastianu, often quoted in the place known as ... is necessary the intervent of Brazzu of San Bastianu !, which is invoked at a time where it would be conducive an important and decisive action.

Gallery

External links

Official Website of the Archdiocese of Messina - Lipari - Saint Lucia del Mela