Church of St. Anthony

The church of St. Anthony is located in the vicinity of the parish and also dates from the period of Aragonese rule; in fact, it resembles in its battlements and ribbed bell tower the style of the church of St. Anne. It has four entrances: the main door that opens onto the square, another entrance on the left side from the main door, and two in the Sacristy, one facing Via Mannu, the other the courtyard. There are three niches in the chancel: in the one above the altar is a statue of St. Anthony, and in the side ones are statues of the Sacred Heart and St. Cecilia. Engraved at the base of the altar is an inscription “EXPENSIS ECLESIAE PRÔRE NOTT. GEORGIO MAGHONY A.D. 1768.” In the inventory of 1761 it is described as follows: ”In the center of the Villa there is also erected the church dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua; it consists of a nave built in the modern style; its roof is of planks and tiles, with two doors, a large one in the front and another small one on the Gospel side; its bell tower is ordinary with its staircase outside, portable, and two small bells. This church has only one altar with a niche in the center provided with a stained-glass window and veil, where there is an image of the said St. Anthony in half-length, and another image of the same saint, in full body, at the side of the altar. It is unknown who and when it was built. It has no dowry, yet its feast is celebrated on June 13 at the expense of the community. This church is 26 palms wide, 63 long and 20” high. Considering that a palm corresponds to about 25 centimeters, the church was approximately 6.50 m. wide, 17.75 m. long and 5 m. high.

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