Santissima Annunziata, Baroque Catholic church in Ispica, Italy.

The Santissima Annunziata is a Baroque church in Ispica whose facade, rebuilt after the 1869 collapse, is divided into three orders: paired Ionic columns on high limestone plinths below, paired Corinthian columns around a large window above, and a broken pediment. The interior is a Latin cross with four bays, a barrel-vaulted nave and a dome at the crossing.

Construction began in 1703 following the devastating 1693 earthquake that destroyed the region, with consecration in 1720 funded by local nobles. The facade was rebuilt in the late 19th century after its collapse caused by restoration work gone wrong.

The name refers to the Annunciation of Mary, a central event in Christian faith. Visitors can observe the intricate stucco decorations depicting biblical scenes that give the interior depth and spiritual meaning.

It helps to allow time for viewing the interior furnishings, as the stucco work and altars contain many details worth examining. The church is normally open to visitors, though hours may vary depending on local services.

The facade that collapsed on 23 March 1869, Holy Tuesday, was not the one begun in 1703: the first design, attributed to Rosario Gagliardi, had two bell towers joined by vaults, like Noto Cathedral. The replacement, based on Palladio and Vignola, was built by stonemason Carlo di Gregorio from a 1874 project by engineer Salvatore Rizza, with four bays instead of five.