Church of St. Anthony, Taormina

The small church of Sant'Antonio (Chiesa Sant'Antonio Abate) is located on the western edge of the old town on the square of the same name, built in 1330 outside the city wall and was intended for the poor, whom the local nobility did not want to see in the cathedral. The choice of the name also had to do with the target audience, St. Anthony was an animal rights activist and patron saint of cattle breeding. In 1440, a gate was built next to the church, they also received the name of St. Anthony, now they are known as the Porta Catania.

The architecture of the church is simple and modest, it is built of natural stone, the only decoration is a portal made of white limestone. Two small windows on the facade are covered with lead shutters. In 1943, the church was destroyed by an aerial bomb, but was quickly rebuilt.

The interior is very modest, there are two small side altars in niches, in the left there is a wooden statue of St. Anthony, the right one is dedicated to the Virgin, on its sides there are two antique columns brought from the ruins of some Roman villa.

Since 1953, the altar part of the church has been occupied by a large Nativity scene created by Dionysius Kakopardo.

The miniature appearance of ancient Bethlehem has been recreated with amazing care.

Residential buildings, shops, barnyards, public places. In some buildings, you can recognize the ancient objects of Taormina.

Elegant ceramic figurines depict people and pets in everyday scenes, on the right is a cave with the holy family at the time of the visit of the Magi.