Places and paths to explore, blending Art, Faith and Culture
Step into the captivating history of Aragona, where art, faith, and culture intertwine in a journey that begins in the Spanish Sicily of the 1600s. At the heart of this story lies the noble House of Naselli, whose legacy has profoundly shaped the identity of this charming Sicilian town. It was Baldassarre III Naselli, with permission from Philip III of Spain, “the Pious,” who founded Aragona in 1606, naming it in honor of his mother, Beatrice Aragona Branciforti, a Sicilian noblewoman linked to the Spanish royal family. Aragona flourished in the following decades, emerging as a small yet powerful principality, enriched by the devotion and charitable works of the Naselli family. Luigi V Burgio Naselli, the last heir of the dynasty who became a priest in the late 19th century, continued the family’s pious tradition, inviting the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul to care for orphans and the community’s most vulnerable. This spirit of charity and devotion lives on today in the works of art and sacred treasures preserved within the MUDIA – Diocesan Museum of Aragona.
The MUDIA of Aragona extends across two main sites: the Crypt of the Church of Madonna del Rosario and the adjoining spaces of the Mother Church.
The Church of Madonna del Rosario, a 17th-century gem, has unveiled a splendid wooden ceiling hidden for centuries, an architectural and artistic testament to its ancient beauty. In the crypt below, visitors find a precious collection of silver, ex-votos, and sacred vestments. Among these treasures, the most enchanting piece is a late 17th-century pendant reliquary containing a fragment of the Holy Shroud, a cherished possession of the Naselli family and a powerful symbol of their profound devotion. The silver urn-shaped reliquary to house the pendant was commissioned by Baldassarre IV Naselli and crafted by Giacinto Omodei, a renowned silversmith of Palermo. Nearby, in a dedicated space, a touch of vibrant popular devotion appears in the two grand busts of Saints Peter and Paul, known locally as the “San Paoloni.” These vividly colored busts are carried through the streets in a special harness during Easter celebrations, joyously proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ.
Not far from the Church of Madonna del Rosario stands the contemporaneous Mother Church, which, along with the church in Cologne, is among the few in Europe dedicated to the Three Wise Men. Appropriately, it houses a precious 1607 painting depicting the Adoration of the Magi, attributed to the artist known as “Zoppo di Gangi.” Also of great value are the paintings by Fra Felice da Sambuca and a marble sculpture of the Madonna delle Grazie, crafted in the style of the Gagini school. In the adjoining rooms, visitors discover the other enchanting section of the MUDIA of Aragona. This intimate, evocative space offers a gallery of remarkable paintings, including late Mannerist works by Giuseppe Salerno, known as “Zoppo di Gangi,” and the Capuchin friar Fra Felice Da Sambuca, whose 18th-century artistry graced many churches in Agrigento. Other exquisite liturgical objects and sacred vestments add to the richness of this journey through Aragona’s long history of art and faith, offering visitors a complete, authentic, and unforgettable experience.
The Diocesan Museum of Aragona is part of the Agrigento Ecclesial Cultural Park. Please use the contacts below for all information, to book visits, or to plan your route.
MUDIA of Aragona: Guided tours of the Diocesan Museum at the Church of the Rosary and Mother Church the are available by reservation. For more information, please contact:
Tel. +3909221757749
The coordinates below indicate the location of the MUDIA in Aragona, situated in the Church of the Rosary: Piazza Umberto 1, 92021 – Aragona (Agrigento).
Icons on the map indicate landmarks and/or points of interest: click on the icons where present to visualize further information.
GPS
N 37° 24' 27.83''
E 13° 37' 9.23''
Google maps
37.40773, 13.61923
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Places and paths to explore, blending Art, Faith and Culture