Church of San Carlo

The Church of San Carlo and its adjoining institution were founded in 1617 by the priest Gianpietro Maranzano, who established a charitable home for orphaned girls. Over the following centuries the community expanded through donations and the acquisition of neighbouring properties. Although the suppression of religious orders in 1866 transformed many religious institutions across Sicily, San Carlo remained in operation because its residents were enclosed laywomen rather than members of a monastic order. The institute finally closed in 1970, with the last resident leaving in 1978.

The church is a modest single-nave building with an 18th-century maiolica floor laid by Neapolitan craftsmen. Its five altars preserve works from different periods, including a wooden statue of Nostra Signora di tutte le Grazie, paintings attributed to Pietro D'Andrea (known as Poma), and a Madonna del Soccorso from the Gagini school transferred from the Church of San Domenico. Following damage in the 1968 Belice earthquake, the church underwent restoration before reopening for prayer in 2003.

For generations, the women of San Carlo became celebrated for producing the almond-based sweets and pastries for which Erice is still famous today, passing on recipes and confectionery skills alongside embroidery. After the closure of the Monastery of Santa Teresa, the last Discalced Carmelite nuns continued this tradition at San Carlo, where they also taught future generations, including the celebrated pastry maker Maria Grammatico. Today the former monastery serves as the boarding facility for the Ignazio e Vincenzo Florio hotel and catering school, maintaining the site's long association with education and culinary heritage.