1. Cathedral of St Peter

The church, which already existed in the 14th century, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1693 and rebuilt in the early 18th century at the top of a wide staircase (Fig. a), where statues of the twelve apostles, known as “Santoni” stand (Fig. b).
The late Baroque façade has two levels separated by a prominent cornice (Fig. c). The lower order consists of three parts, in each of which there is an opening bordered by two columns supporting a broken tympanum. The upper order has a single part with a central large window and is bordered laterally by two large volutes, each supporting a statue. The second order is delimited by a broken tympanum, inside which is the statue of the the Risen Christ.
The bell tower, set back from the façade of the church, consists of three levels, the last of which are the bell arches.The bell tower, set back from the façade of the church, consists of three levels, the last of which are the bell arches. The church’s interior has three naves, separated by two porticoes with Corinthian capitals supporting a balcony, on which are windows illuminating the interior (Fig. d). The central nave has a barrel vault painted with Old and New Testament scenes. The majestic organ with 1,800 pipes, located on the choir loft above the entrance portal, was built by the Polizzi company, renowned Sicilian organ builders (Fig. e). On the other hand, the side aisles have groin vaults and are decorated with gilded stuccoes.
In the presbytery, eight single and twin columns support the vault and the apse basin (Fig. f).