San Martino dei Bianchi, Roman Catholic church in central Catania, Italy
San Martino dei Bianchi is a church located along Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Catania, featuring an undulating late-Baroque facade built during the eighteenth century. The structure displays curved architectural lines and ornamental details typical of Sicilian religious buildings from that era.
After the 1693 earthquake destroyed the original structure, architect Stefano Ittar redesigned and rebuilt the church between 1724 and 1790. This reconstruction was part of Catania's broader rebuilding effort that transformed the city with Baroque designs.
The Confraternity of the Whites, which ran this place, dedicated itself to accompanying condemned prisoners and offering them spiritual comfort before execution. This compassionate role made it a vital community institution in the city.
The church stands at number 191 on Corso Vittorio Emanuele and can be easily reached on foot as it faces this main street directly. Visitors should note that religious sites may have restrictions on visiting hours or appropriate clothing.
The church stands near a plaque marking where the German poet Goethe stayed during his Italian journey in 1787. This literary connection draws visitors interested in cultural history and gives the location an unexpected scholarly dimension.
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