First documented in 1606 during an official pastoral visit by Cardinal Ottavio Acquaviva, Archbishop of Naples, the church of Sant'Antonio Abate stands along Via Vittorio Emanuele on the island of Procida. The structure seen today is the result of a total reconstruction completed between 1749 and 1759, with further modifications in the 19th and 20th centuries.
What to see
The interior features a single rectangular nave covered by a barrel vault, flanked by two side chapels on each side, a shallow transept, and an apse. Above the presbytery rises its dome, one of the largest on Procida. Next to the entrance are two marble holy water stoups from 1816, while above the entrance doors a choir loft houses a pipe organ built by master organ-maker Fabrizio Cimmino between 1751 and 1753.
The most significant painting in the church is the altarpiece on the left transept altar, depicting the Immaculate Conception before the Trinity, signed by Giacinto Diano. The high altar, crafted from polychrome marble in the second half of the 18th century, features two side niches containing 18th-century wooden statues of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Anthony Abbot. One side chapel holds a canvas of the Death of Saint Joseph attributed to Domenico Guarino. Moved to the sacristy are four paintings depicting the Passion of Christ by unknown artists from the circle of Francesco Solimena, alongside a canvas of Saint Januarius associated with the circle of Jacopo Cestaro.
Visiting
Located directly on Via Vittorio Emanuele, the church can be visited during opening hours. Visitors can walk through the nave to admire the high presbytery dome, the 18th-century marble altar, and the array of artworks preserved in the side chapels and sacristy.
Our editors' tip
When reaching the left transept, take time to closely inspect Giacinto Diano's signed altarpiece, which represents the highest quality artistic masterwork housed within the church.