VIA DEI CROCIFERI

From Villa Cerami to Piazza s. Francesco d'Assisi, in about 400 meters in length, one after the other, walking along this street we find ourselves in front of some of the most significant works of Sicilian Baroque.

It, too, was built after the 1693 earthquake, and walking along it from the lowest elevation, starting from Piazza S. Francesco d'Assisi, up a steep flight of steps we can admire the basilica of the same name, then after crossing Via del Teatro Greco, we pass under the arch of S. Benedetto that connected the Badia grande with the Badia piccola.

Further on the left side skirting the via S. Benedetto is the facade of the monastery church and almost opposite going down to the University Square, the Alessi staircase.

Passing S. Benedetto street on the left the church of S. Francesco Borgia and immediately after the Jesuit college. Continuing uphill, to the right the convex facade of the church of S. Giuliano and then slightly set back from the street alignment we find the church of S. Camillo de' Lellis.

Villa Cerami concludes the promenade. The Baroque setting, as rich and filled with extraordinary plastic forms as it is, communicates a feeling of great harmony, which is also why Via dei Crociferi is considered one of the most beautiful streets in Italy.