Via Crociferi Catania – Il barocco catanese

The Via dei Crociferi in Catania is a monumental road manager built in the eighteenth century. It begins in Piazza San Francesco d’Assisi and is accessed through the arch of St. Benedict.

The road, surrounded by churches, monasteries and few civilian homes, is an example of Baroque architecture unity. In the short space of about 200 meters there are four churches. The first is the church of St. Benedict attached to the convent of Benedictine nuns from the arch of the same name that sovrappassa the street and connects the large to the small Badia Badia. It is accessed by a staircase and is surrounded by a wrought iron.

Then we reach the St. Francis Borgia Church which is accessed via two staircases. The two churches are separated by a small street leading to the Palace Asmundo Francica-Nava, jutting out of the square Asmundo. Afterwards we find the Jesuit college, the former headquarters of the Art Institute, containing a beautiful cloister with porticos on columns and arches.

In front of the college, it is located the church of San Giuliano considered one of the finest examples of Baroque of Catania. The building, attributed to the architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini, has a convex prospectus and its clean, elegant lines. Continuing, and crossing the way Antonino di San Giuliano, you can admire the convent Crociferi and then the church of St. Camillus. Down the street is located Villa Cerami, which is home to the Faculty of Law, University of Catania.