Santa Maria del Rosario

In 1666 Giulo Tomasi di Lampedusa instructed the Jesuit architect Angelo Italia from nearby Licata to build this important church of Santa Maria del Rosario. The two-story front, made even more impressive by the great flight of steps leading up to it and by its twin towers, represents "an important step forward in Sicilian Baroque architecture" (Krånig). The vaulted roof and cupola were not added to the triple-aisled basilica until 1683. The abbey of Santa Maria del Rosario was also built by the Princes of Lampedusa, and several of their family entered it.