Massa di San Demetrio Palace
Palazzo Massa di San Demetrio, in Catania, occupies the north-west corner of the Quattro Canti between via Etnea and via di Sangiuliano and is considered, together with the contemporary Palazzo Biscari, the greatest example of late Baroque architecture in the city as well as being the the very symbol of Catania's rebirth, not only after the earthquake but also after the second postwar period; it was in fact rebuilt stone by stone after the bombings of 1943 had almost completely destroyed it.
Significant changes have been made over the centuries to the building in particular with the construction of a new building in the nineteenth century, overlooking via Manzoni, Prefettura and Sangiuliano, to incorporate the previous one, but the facade on via Etnea was not affected. on the corner of the Quattro Canti. This last elevation was however modified during the road leveling works (1870) which at that point was lowered by about two meters causing a considerable alteration of the proportions of the building with small and large measures to rebalance it with the new street level.
After the war it was rebuilt based on photos and plans.
Monument included in the list of architectural heritage bound under the law 1089/39 (Declaration of 08.05.1958)
Card insertion: Ignatius Caloggero
Photo: Ignazio Caloggero
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Web
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