The Mother Church, or Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, dominates Collesano from the top of its monumental staircase. Built in 1513 and used as the new Mother Church from 1543, it was later enriched by the staircase designed in 1602 by the painter-engineer Antonino Spatafora. The present facade dates to the early 20th century.
Inside, the basilica has three naves and a dense collection of art from other churches of Collesano. The presbytery walls preserve the 1624 fresco cycle with stories of Saints Peter and Paul by Gaspare Vazzano, known as Lo Zoppo di Gangi.
Look up in the central nave for the suspended Crucifix of 1555, held by a dramatic wooden structure and painted on the reverse with the Resurrection of Christ. Other highlights include the 16th-century organ rebuilt in the 17th century by Antonino La Valle, the 16th-century wooden choir by the Collesano carver Andrea Russo, the late-15th-century marble tabernacle from Santa Maria Assunta, and the canvas of the Annunciata, the Madonna dei Miracoli, patroness of Collesano.
NoteExterior always visible. Interior depends on opening hours.
Construction begun in the second half of the 15th century, completed early 1500s; consecrated 1548.
Elevated to Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1983.
Fresco cycle by Gaspare Vazzano "Zoppo di Gangi" (1624): 22 ovals and 13 panels on the lives of Saints Peter and Paul.
Marble tabernacle dated 1489, attributed to Domenico Gagini and workshop, commissioned by Francesco Sunzerio.
Houses the "Maria Santissima dei Miracoli" — a 15th-century painting venerated as patroness of Collesano since 1641.
Holy Week processions and patronal feast 25–27 May (procession on the 26th).
Timeline
1140The earlier Mother Church, Santa Maria la Vecchia (Assunta), is founded; it remains the matrice until 1543.
late 15th c.San Pietro is begun on the hilltop.
1489A marble tabernacle is commissioned by presbyter Francesco Sunzerio from the Gagini workshop.
1543Completed under Pope Paul III; San Pietro becomes the new Mother Church.
1548Consecrated by Mariano Manno, a bishop from Sciacca.
1555The suspended Crucifix is made — woodwork by Vincenzo Pernaci, painting by Antonello Sillaro, the Resurrection on its reverse.
1570–1578Andrea Russo carves the wooden choir.
1602Antonino Spatafora designs the monumental staircase.
1619Giuseppe Li Volsi makes the Sacrament-chapel stuccoes.
1624Gaspare Vazzano “Zoppo di Gangi” frescoes the presbytery — 22 ovals and 13 panels on the lives of Peter and Paul.
1627Antonino La Valle rebuilds the organ.
1641The Madonna dei Miracoli is proclaimed patroness of Collesano (a miracle of 26 May 1643 is later attached to the feast).
1983Pope John Paul II elevates the church to a Minor Basilica.
People & families
Domenico Gagini (c.1420–1492)— founder of the Gagini dynasty of sculptors; his workshop (with Giorgio da Milano and Andrea Mancino) carved the 1489 marble tabernacle.
Antonino Spatafora— painter-engineer who designed the church’s monumental staircase in 1602.
Gaspare Vazzano “Zoppo di Gangi” (1562–1630)— painter of the 1624 presbytery fresco cycle.
Andrea Russo— Collesano woodcarver of the 1570–78 choir.
Antonino La Valle— master who rebuilt the organ in 1627; Giuseppe Li Volsi made the 1619 stuccoes.
Francesco Sunzerio— presbyter who funded the 1489 tabernacle; the 1624 frescoes were paid for from townspeople’s alms gathered by the priest Paolo Brocato.
Stories & traditions
Look up in the nave: the 1555 Crucifix hangs from a wooden machine and is painted on the back with the Resurrection, so the cross “turns” from death to life.
The town’s patroness, the 15th-century painting of the Madonna dei Miracoli, is carried through the centro storico each year at the feast of 25–27 May.
The “Zoppo di Gangi” (the Limper of Gangi) was long thought a single painter; archival study revealed two — Gaspare Vazzano and his pupil Giuseppe Salerno — both nicknamed for a limp.
The basilica gathers art from across Collesano’s churches — including a marble Apostle predella attributed to Antonello Gagini, Domenico’s son.
Visiting
HoursOpen mornings and for late-afternoon Mass
AdmissionFree
AccessThe Spatafora staircase is the main barrier for wheelchair users; ask the parish about a side entrance.
