Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, Baroque minor basilica and parish church in Monterosso Almo, Italy.
The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista is a Baroque church with four distinct levels topped by a central bell tower and a grand balustraded terrace. Wide stairs lead up to the main facade, giving the building a stately and well-proportioned appearance.
The original structure dates from the Norman period and survived the 1693 Sicily earthquake. Architect Vincenzo Sinatra then carried out renovations that brought the building into its present Baroque form.
The statues above the entrance show John the Baptist alongside Saint Paul with a sword and Saint Peter holding a book and keys. These figures shape how the church's front looks and tell visitors about the religious meaning of the place.
The church sits on the central plaza of Monterosso Almo and is easy to locate. It maintains regular hours for religious services and community events, allowing visitors to stop by at different times depending on what is happening.
On June 24, the feast day of John the Baptist, sunlight enters through an eastern window at dawn to illuminate the statue of the saint. This moment draws many visitors back to experience this natural effect.
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