Church of San Francesco di Paola

The church stands beside the Church of Santa Caterina and formed part of a historic complex associated with Erice's hospital. The hospital had been founded with the neighbouring church by the noble soldier Giovanni Majorana in 1335. San Francesco di Paola, whose precise date of construction is not recorded by Tusa but which is dated to the 16th century by BeWeB, later served as the hospital chapel. The hospital remained on the site until its transfer elsewhere in the early 19th century.

The interior consists of a single nave, with two side altars in addition to the high altar dedicated to Saint Francis of Paola. In 1851 it was embellished with stucco decoration, including coffering and arabesque motifs, and the bell tower was constructed in 1856.

A wooden statue of Saint Francis is carried through Erice in procession on his feast day. The devotion has traditionally drawn worshippers not only from Erice but from across the surrounding Agro Ericino.

The church reopened in April 2021 following restoration of the interior, sacristy and adjoining rooms belonging to the former hospital complex. Some of these premises had subsequently served as the Casa del Povero, providing assistance to people in need.