The Santa Maria dell’Orazione Church is the only 17th-century church to have survived the bombings of World War II; it is also known as Church of the Death, because it was the seat of the Confraternity of Death,which was responsible for giving burial to those who died in the streets or at sea without anyone taking care of them. It was built between 1693 and 1699, in typical Baroque style, as you can see once inside, which is circular, with seven chapels open in a radial pattern. In one of these are the remains of members of the noble Guglielmi family, who played an important role in the city in the 19th century, both politically and economically. In the dome, you can admire frescoes by Giuseppe Errante from Trapani, who left his date and signature there in 1788. The Church retains an element of considerable historical value: the polychrome wooden balustrade of the organ comes from the stern of a galley of the papal fleet returning victorious from the Battle of Lepanto against the Turks (1571). The church is often the venue for classical and choral music concerts.
