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Church of Santissimo Salvatore

Gothic church founded by the Chiaramonte family

The Church of Santissimo Salvatore is a 14th-century Gothic church founded by Count Enrico Chiaramonte, a member of one of medieval Sicily's most powerful noble families, as part of a Benedictine monastery in the heart of Erice.

Key facts

Site type:

Comune:

Church

Erice

District:

Historic centre

The Church of Santissimo Salvatore was founded in 1339 by Count Enrico Chiaramonte together with an adjoining Benedictine monastery. The complex occupied the site of the former Palazzo Chiaramonte and remained closely associated with the family for generations. During the following centuries the monastery became one of Erice's principal religious institutions before falling into decline after the suppression of religious orders in the 19th century.

The church preserves its Gothic origins despite later alterations. During the late 18th century, the interior was enriched with stucco decoration by Pietro dell'Orto, while the marble tabernacle became one of its most notable artistic features. Much of the adjoining monastery has since fallen into ruin, although the church itself survives as an important reminder of the former Benedictine complex established by the Chiaramonte family.

After many decades of closure following structural collapse in 1935, the church underwent restoration and reopened for worship in 2017. Today, together with the remains of the former monastery, it preserves the legacy of one of medieval Erice's most influential religious foundations and its close association with the Chiaramonte family.

Photo: Elymian Atlas

Discover western Sicily through Elymian Atlas—an interactive map of historical sites, wineries, beaches, myths and remarkable places. Inspired by the ancient Elymian civilisation, the atlas is continually expanding, with new places, stories and discoveries added as the project grows.

A graphic representation of the coat of arms of Trapani.
A graphic representation of the coat of arms of Erice.
A graphic representation of the coat of arms of Valderice.
A graphic representation of the coat of arms of Custonaci.
A graphic representation of the coat of arms of Paceco.
A graphic representation of the coat of arms of Castellammare del Golfo.
A graphic representation of the coat of arms of San Vito Lo Capo.

These coats of arms mark the towns and municipalities within the historic territory of the Elymians—the region explored by Elymian Atlas.

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