The Church of San Giuliano was built after the 1693 earthquake which razed to the ground most of the city of Catania, and is considered one of the most spectacular churches on Via Crociferi.

Via dei Crociferi extends from the Convent Crociferi to the church of San Francesco d'Assisi all'Immacolata at the Piazza San Francesco d'Assisi. The entire street is lined with churches from the 18^th Century. Coming from the Convent dei Crociferi you will first reach the church of San Giuliano, with its huge dome and the projecting façade on the left side. Directly opposite is the Jesuit College of Angelo Italia from the 18^th Century. .

The facade divided into two orders and concave in the center is typical of some Roman churches of the same period.

The construction was started in 1741 by the architect Giuseppe Palazzotto, while the sculptor Gaspare Ciriaci was entrusted with the task of creating the façade. Between 1743 and 1749 the façade on Via dei Crociferi was completed, inspired by models of Roman Baroque.

The entire building was completed around 1754, accompanied in the first half of the nineteenth century by the churchyard and the elegant wrought iron gate.

Look on top and you will see a window wrapped in iron wrought that is the only opening for the nuns to see the outside world. You will see the inside at the end of the page.

The entrance of the church

There is an impressive painted dome that illuminates the interior of the church.

The interior has a central plan, with a large octagonal dome  with chapels and altars.

Close look at the painted dome.

Marble statues underneath the crucifix.

Anonymous painting of saint Giuliano bishop of le Mans cica 1619

Painting of S. Antonio Abate by Pietro Abbdessa  circa 1643

The altar

Inscription underneath the statue: the flame is a sign of the living faith with which we share God with our fears and our joy.

Mosaics marble floor

Loan praying...

This the main living room  to receive guests.

Beautiful marble table.

Sitting area fit for a king.

We are now going upstairs into the female monastery of the Benedictine order under the title of "San Giuliano"

Before the earthquake of 1693 there were 14 city monasteries, the bishop Andrea Riggio reduced them to six (San Giuliano was part of the 6).  Almost all the nuns of the six monasteries belonged to the rich bourgeoisie , to the aristocracy, or to the upper middle class. Noble families at that time used to entrust the education of their daughters to the nuns, girl often stayed and eventually took the veil sacrificing themselves in favor of the first born brother or in favor of the elder sister who is the sole heiress of the family’s fortune.

 The Benedictine nuns decided to move to a more central area located between Strada Lanza, then called Via di San Giuliano, and Via dei Crociferi.

Door leading to the Benedictine nuns quarters.

This picture of Father Luigi was found in the church.

The nuns could not be seen in public so from the second floor through the grill they can see the altar and listen to summons.

This is the view the nuns see of the altar.

I can't remember but I think the little windows you see is for the nuns to put their prayer sheets.

Window over looking into via Crociferi.  This is the only view the nuns get if they want to look out.  You saw the outside of this window from the outside earlier on.

Next...Monastery Saint Benedetto