Church and Convent of Santa Maria della Croce
Descrizione
The Church and Convent of Santa Maria della Croce stand atop the hill of the same name—known as the “Hill of the Cross”—in the heart of Scicli’s historic center. The complex likely dates back to the late 15th or early 16th century, as suggested by the inscription “1528” found on a decorative element on the side. Over the centuries, the site has undergone several transformations that shaped its Renaissance and Baroque appearance, especially following the damage caused by the 1693 earthquake. The complex includes a single-nave church and a convent featuring a distinctive inner cloister, historically associated with the religious order of the Crociferi. The richly decorated interiors contain frescoes, stuccoes, and sacred artworks of great artistic and spiritual value, making this site a significant religious, cultural, and historical landmark for the city of Scicli and its people.
