Cathedral of Maria Santissima della Neve, Lercara Friddi
| Cathedral of Maria Santissima della Neve | |
|---|---|
| Duomo di Maria Santissima della Neve, Chiesa Madre di Lercara Friddi e dei Lercaresi | |
 The Cathedral in 2025, after the renovations | |
 | |
| Location | Lercara Friddi, Sicily |
| Country | Italy |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1702 |
| Founder(s) | Leonardo Melli |
| Dedicated | 1750 |
| Consecrated | 1721 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Baroque |
| Years built | 1702-1721 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Palermo |
| Parish | Maria Santissima della Neve |
| Clergy | |
| Priest(s) | Padre Massimo Pernice |
The Cathedral of Maria Santissima della Neve is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Lercara Friddi, Sicily. The cathedral was constructed in 1702. [1]
History
[edit]
The current cathedral replaced an older cathedral (situated at the current Via Pucci, 7) dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, built between 1595-1604 by Baldassare Gomez de Amezcua, founder of Lercara Friddi.[2] The Archpriest of Lercara Friddi, Leonardo Melli ordered the construction of a new church in 1702. The cathedral was constructed between 1702-1721.[3] The cathedral is shaped like the Latin cross and has three naves. The cathedral was inaugurated by Archpriest Pietro d’Amico.[4]
The cathedral has various artworks made by famous Sicilian artists, such as il Zoppo di Gangi. The two altars were erected in 1760 and 1765, respectively. The baptismal font was renovated in 1923.[4]
The cathedral has been renovated numerous times. The first renovation was in 1910, with a reconstruction of the façade. The latest renovation was in 2024, with a restoration and renovation of the façade. The church's crypt housed the burials of many Lercaresi until the construction of the cemetery in 1910.[4]
Burials
[edit]
The cathedral houses several important burials, such as:
- Leonardo Melli, Archpriest from 1693-1710
- Pietro d’Amico, Archpriest from 1711-1733
- Giuseppe Lombardo, Archpriest from 1733-1775
- Gioacchino Perollo, Archpriest from 1775-1788
- Stefano Lorenzo Petta, Archpriest from 1788-1820
- Francesco Ferrara, Archpriest from 1820-1824
- Gaspare Giglio, Archpriest from 1824-1853
- Mario Fiorentino, Archpriest from 1853-1871
- Luigi Ferrara, Lawyer[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Chiesa Maria SS. della Neve a Lercara Friddi". www.siciliainfesta.com.
- ^ "Parrocchia Maria SS. Della Neve – Lercara Friddi – Sesto Vicariato – terza zona pastorale".
- ^ "Lercara Friddi".
- ^ a b c d Pietro, Bianca Di (July 19, 2018). "Lercara Friddi - Chiesa di Santa Maria della Neve - Informazioni turistiche della Città metropolitana di Palermo". Città.