Santa Teresa, Catania

Santa Teresa, also called Santa Teresa del Bambin Gesú or Bambino Gesú is a Roman Catholic parish church and Discalced Carmelite cloistered convent, located on Via Antonino Di Sangiuliano #219, at the intersection with via Santa Teresa, in Catania, region of Sicily, southern Italy.

Facade of church with staircases and modern marble relief of the Virgin Mary.

History and description

Monks of the order of Discalced Carmelites arrived in Catania in 1642-1643 and were initially located at the church of Santo Spirito outside town. In 1677, that church was destroyed to enhance the defenses against the besieging French army. For a time they stayed in houses belonging to the nobleman Giovanni Tedeschi. The present structures, a church and attached convent were not built until after the 1693 earthquake. The church facade is set on a high black stone plinth, is accessed through a double staircase, and has a broken pediment over the portal.