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Description
The church of S. Biagio is located in Piazza Stesicoro, directly across from the large trench with the ruins of the amphitheater.
The facade, preceded by a staircase, dates back to the late 18th century. The origins of this church date back to 1098.
After the earthquake of 1693, it was rebuilt at the behest of Bishop Andrea Riggio, who incorporated the branch church of S. Biagio, from which the temple took its name. The presbytery contains two chapels, one dedicated to the Crucifix (left) and one dedicated to S. Agata. In this chapel is kept a precious relic that tradition links to the martyrdom of the patron saint of Catania, the so-called "furnace" of S. Agata, from which the popular name of the church, the "carcarella," comes. The "furnace" is protected by glass; a Latin inscription reminds us of one of the most dramatic phases of Agata's human story, the torment with burning coals; in fact, the inscription says: "Here she was overwhelmed by the burning coals."
The facade, preceded by a staircase, dates back to the late 18th century. The origins of this church date back to 1098.
After the earthquake of 1693, it was rebuilt at the behest of Bishop Andrea Riggio, who incorporated the branch church of S. Biagio, from which the temple took its name. The presbytery contains two chapels, one dedicated to the Crucifix (left) and one dedicated to S. Agata. In this chapel is kept a precious relic that tradition links to the martyrdom of the patron saint of Catania, the so-called "furnace" of S. Agata, from which the popular name of the church, the "carcarella," comes. The "furnace" is protected by glass; a Latin inscription reminds us of one of the most dramatic phases of Agata's human story, the torment with burning coals; in fact, the inscription says: "Here she was overwhelmed by the burning coals."