3. Church of St. Theresa

The church, also in Via Mormino Penna, was initially dedicated to Saint Clare and was annexed to the monastery of Saint Teresa, founded in 1660 by the Carmelite Nuns. The 1693 earthquake destroyed both buildings. In 1700, the church was rebuilt to a design by Girolamo Iacitano and between 1715 and 1719, the monastery was also rebuilt by master builder Giuseppe Puccia.
The sober, linear façade is contrasted by an interior rich in plaster and stucco decorations (Fig. a).
The straight-sided façade is framed by two pilasters and is delimited by a three-arched loggia flanked by the belfry (Fig. b).
Above the entrance portal is a four-lobed window, enclosed by a finely decorated cornice with an underlying stone balustrade and floral elements at the four corners (Fig. c).
Inside, the narthex precedes the single rectangular nave and ends with the apse housing the high altar, surmounted by a large canvas dedicated to Saint Teresa of Avila, dating back to 1698, where a young Jesus pierces Theresa’s heart.
On either side of the high altar is a pair of fluted columns with Corinthian capitals, set on high pedestals, and a couple of columns decorated with garlands that develop in a spiral fashion (Fig. d).
The floor, inlaid with geometric motifs in white stone and mixed interlaces in black pitchstone, is among the most original in the province of Ragusa and was made in 1757 (Fig. e). The floor of the apse dates back to 1761 and is made of Vietri majolica.
On the side walls, there are minor altars. On the left side is a crucifix flanked by wooden frames decorated with floral motifs, while on the altar on the right side is a painting of Madonna Enthroned among Saints by Ludovico Suirech. Pairs of columns border both altars.
A special mention should also be made of the vault decorated with frescoes, which represent moments in the life of Saint Teresa of Avila, made around 1854 (Fig. f).
Closed to worship since 1950, it was donated to the Municipality and is currently used as an exhibition space.