Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Arco

The Church of Santa Maria dell'Arco in Siderno Superiore is a sixteenth-century building associated with the Madonna della Pace and a local sculptor, Giuseppe Correale.

Why it matters

The church preserves the memory of the Santa Caterina quarter and is linked to a wooden statue of the Madonna della Pace carved by Correale when he was young.

What to notice

The building combines fabric from successive repairs following earthquakes. Its principal devotional work is the Madonna della Pace, a wooden figure carved from a single trunk and attributed to Giuseppe Correale.

Context and history

The church dates to the sixteenth century and was repeatedly rebuilt after earthquakes. It was originally dedicated to Santa Caterina, whose name also survives in the quarter. The parish title moved to Siderno Marina in 1909; the historic church remained in Siderno Superiore. The Madonna della Pace is associated with Correale's early work in the mid-twentieth century.