Church of the Madonna of Constantinople

The Church of the Madonna of Constantinople in Tricase was built in 1685 by Jacopo Francesco Arborio Gattinara, Marquis of San Martino, as stated on the architrave of the main entrance. The building is also known as the New Church or the Devil's Church due to an ancient legend, according to which the church was built following a bet between the Marquis and the devil. It was used throughout the 18th century; the progressive decay of the building led Bishop Masselli to prohibit worship there in 1878. In 1966 it was purchased by the municipal administration, which restored it at the beginning of the 21st century.<br><br>It has an original octagonal plan, equipped on each side with a centined window. The main facade features the entrance portal; above the broken-profile cornice rest two volutes. Another portal, now walled up, can be seen on the right side. Notable is the small bell-gable.<br><br>The interior space, also octagonal, is marked by corner pilasters with Corinthian capitals and semicircular arches. On the walls remain the remains of the original altars, once adorned with painted canvases. On the main altar was depicted the Madonna of Constantinople, adored by angels, saints, and the commissioning Marquis; on the other altars were paintings of the Madonna Annunziata, Saint Anne, the Virgin of Carmelo and San Liborio.