Sant'Antonio Abate, Erice

Church of Sant'Antonio Abate
Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate
The façade and bell gable
38°2′29.159″N12°35′20.299″E / 38.04143306°N 12.58897194°E / 38.04143306; 12.58897194
Location	Erice, Sicily, Italy
Country	Italy
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Parish church
Founded	late 12th century
Dedication	Saint Anthony the Abbot
Architecture
Architectural type	Church
Style	Norman

Sant'Antonio Abate (Italian: Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate, literally "Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot") is a Roman Catholic church in the historic centre of Erice, Sicily. It was historically one of four parish churches in the town, alongside the Chiesa Matrice (Mother Church), San Cataldo and San Giuliano. ^[1]

Sant'Antonio Abate now functions as a rectory church within the parish territory of San Cataldo. ^[2]

History

From the original medieval structure survive the ogival arch at the entrance and the profile (later reconstructed) of the small bell gable on the façade. The building is a rare example of a two-aisled church, a feature it shares with the neighbouring Church of Sant'Orsola. ^[1] Both churches are sited just inside Porta Spada in the Elymian-Punic Walls of Erice, close to the Spanish Quarter.

Architecture

The church has two naves corresponding to successive phases of construction. The exterior retains a pointed entrance arch and a small bell gable (campanile a vela) on the main front, characteristic of local medieval churches. ^[1]

The church underwent restoration works and was reopened in 2015. ^{[3] [4]}

References

1. Erice la Montagna del Signore, “La Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate”, accessed 21 August 2025, Sant'Antonio Abate – Church of Sant'Antonio Abate
2. "Parrocchia di San Cataldo (Erice) – enti nel territorio parrocchiale". Annuario Cattolico (in Italian). Retrieved 8 October 2025. «Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate – Chiesa rettoria» (Via Addolorata, Erice)
3. Diocesi di Trapani, “Interventi in corso e prossime riaperture – 2015: Riapertura della Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate”, accessed 21 August 2025, Diocese of Trapani
4. "Interventi in corso e prossime riaperture (2015): Riapertura della Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate – Erice". Diocesi di Trapani (in Italian). Retrieved 8 October 2025.