The Chapel of the Black Christ
in the Cathedral of Santa Maria La Nuova in Licata

From Relais Villa Giuliana, one of the most characteristic places in Licata can be reached: the Chapel of the Black Christ.

In Licata, the Cathedral of Santa Maria La Nuova, dating back to the Renaissance period, preserves inside it a chapel with a 15th-century wooden Crucifix. The style is typically Baroque, surrounded by precious elements such as the covering in pure gold and the decorations, as well as the inlay work. This work is also called the “Black Christ” because legend says it was set on fire by the Turks during an invasion, but the crucifix miraculously emerged unharmed from the flames and took on its black colour because of the smoke. The Chapel of the Black Christ was built by the faithful as a sign of devotion for the “miracle” of the crucifix.

Today we know that the crucifix, made by the Matinali brothers, is black because of an artistic tendency of the time; but according to the story handed down for centuries, in July 1553 a fleet of 104 Turkish and French ships managed to invade Licata. There were deaths and deportations, the city was plundered and set on fire. The church of Santa Maria La Nova, the Mother Church, was also struck by this tragic event. The wooden crucifix in the church, dating from the second half of the 15th century, was not destroyed by the fire but was only blackened by it.