MUDIA – Diocesan Museum of Sciacca


recommended visit time
1 hour and 30 minutes

The fascinating history of Sciacca and its deep devotion to Our Lady of Help ( Maria Santissima del Soccorso) intertwine in a compelling narrative that unites art, faith, and collective memory. At the heart of this story are the treasures preserved within the majestic Mother Church and the MUDIA – Diocesan Museum of Sciacca. Each Diocesan Museum within the Cultural Ecclesiastical Park of the Archdiocese of Agrigento embodies the cultural and spiritual identity of its local community, and in Sciacca, this pulse is especially marked by devotion to Our Lady of Help, celebrated through precious works of art and artifacts, particularly those crafted from the renowned coral of Sciacca. Visiting the MUDIA of Sciacca means immersing oneself in a heritage where past and present converge, transforming cultural legacy into a shared resource. Located adjacent to the Mother Church, the Museum offers an inspiring journey through liturgical objects, reliquaries, paintings, sculptures, and testimonies of the centuries-old devotion of the people of Sciacca to their Patron Saint.

The Mother Church, dedicated to Maria SS. del Soccorso (Our Lady of Help), is a monumental blend of architectural styles spanning centuries. The current baroque façade, with Renaissance elements, dates to the 17th century, yet the three Norman apses visible from the outside and the imposing Gothic arches supporting the nave inside transport us back to medieval times. The beautiful sculptures of Saints, placed in the niches of the still-unfinished façade, are attributed to the renowned brothers Giandomenico and Antonino Gagini, who worked in Sciacca between 1541 and 1548. Inside, sacred artworks unfold in a crescendo of beauty, among which stands the sublime statue of Our Lady of Help, crafted by the 16th-century master sculptors Giuliano Mancino and Bartolomeo Berrettaro.

After four centuries, the devotion to Our Lady of Help remains vibrant, celebrated with two solemn festivals each year, on February 2nd and August 15th. These festivities joyously recall the miraculous liberation from the plague that afflicted Sciacca, like much of Sicily, in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This spirituality is not merely historical memory but a true collective heritage, witnessed by numerous ex-votos made of coral, wood, and precious metals that adorn the statue of the Madonna during the processions.

Within MUDIA, in addition to works by the great painter Mariano Rossi, a native of Sciacca and an undisputed master of 18th-century Italian art, visitors can marvel at true jewels of religious heritage, such as coral ex-votos and silver artifacts crafted by Trapani’s master artisans. Rossi’s artistry, seen in such works as his decorations at the Royal Palace of Caserta, Villa Borghese, and the apse of the Cathedral of Palermo, stands as one of the many testaments to the artistic excellence enriching the Diocesan Museum of Sciacca.

The MUDIA of Sciacca is thus not only a guardian of the past but a window onto the future: a place where memory, art, and faith intertwine to offer visitors a unique experience rich in emotions and discoveries. It is an invitation to rediscover the profound spiritual roots of a community, inspiring visitors with its timeless beauty.

Tourist Information
THIS INFORMATION is subject to change without prior notice

The Diocesan Museum of Sciacca 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 Sciacca: Guided tours of the Diocesan Museum 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 Scicca, situated in the Mother Church: Piazza Don Minzoni (Piazza Duomo) – 92019, Sciacca (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° 30' 23.4''
E 13° 5' 3.52''

Google maps
37.50650, 13.08431

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