The massacre of the faithful in the Church of the Annunziata in Chiaramonte Gulfi
During the Sicilian vespers in 1299 Chiaramonte Gulfi was destroyed by the Angevins, the French soldiers entered the church of the Annunziata, killing all the faithful who had taken refuge there, and even the priest who was holding the chalice for the Elevation, interrupting the mass in its most solemn moment. After the sacking and extermination that took place inside the church, the French went to celebrate. At midnight the bell of the church of the Annunciation was heard. The killed priest appeared with the chalice in his hand followed by all the faithful. The French were forced by a mysterious force to follow them to the church where the mass resumed from the point where it had been interrupted. After the celebration a strong wind entered the church and the walls began to shake. From below a chasm opened where all the French soldiers fell, immediately afterwards the floor closed over them.
Property included in the IWB register of the Sicily Region (Places of the Sacred) - Sector "Places of the Marian Worship"
Site included in the Regional Charter of memory identity places in the area (LIM) "The Sacred Places": The places of the Marian cult
View the interactive map with the places of the Marian cult: Interactive Map The Places of Marian Worship
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: Ignazio Caloggero
Information contributions: Web, Region of Sicily
