The holy building, in the old town, was part of the Benedictine's monastery founded in 1532 by the lords of Avola. In the new urban spot, the whole was rebuilt in the north-west corner. The church, with its magnificent concave-convex frontage, built as from 1753, is one of the most complete and elegant examples of Baroque style buildings in Val di Noto. Desiderd by Abbess Gertrude Azzolini, can be ascribed to the architects Rosario Gagliardi and Vincenzo Sinatra, then workinh together. Since 1768 the architect Giuseppe Alessi joins the building, drawing the chorus and the altars. In 1777 the Swiss Serafino Perollo made the roccocò stuccoes. The big nave's walls stuccoes show pictures of the Cardinal Virtues. The Glory with St. Benedetto and St. Scholastica are depicted on the vault. interesting are the apintings by Costantino Carasi on the minor altars, and over the precious main altar is the SS. Annunziata's painting, adorned with incomparable Baroque golden carved frames.

(source: Avola, la città esagonale)