In this place, where today a small church named “The Bell” and a square in front of it can be seen the ancient Cathedral of Lentini, dedicated to Santa Maria la Cava, used to stand, before being destroyed by the earthquake in 1693.
Due to economic difficulties, during the years of reconstruction after the earthquake, an important decision was taken: the two major churches in the city were to be unified.
Two religious congregations were therefore merged and the new church was built, dedicated both to Santa Maria La Cava and St. Alfio. The chosen place for the reconstruction was over the tombs of the Holy Martyrs as they still stand today, in Piazza Duomo, the main square of the city.
However, in Alemagna square, some ruins of the former structure remained and were transformed into a sort of bell tower where, until 1941, the Bell of the ancient Cathedral used to be housed. It then moved to the Holy Trinity Church, replaced here by another bell.
The church is named after the bell and was built in the first half of the 20th century, in a simple and undefined architectural style.
A place of recollection, it is now a sort of memorial, rather than a functional structure. The small church becomes pivotal to the life of Lentini on May 9th, each year, when the traditional procession of the relic, the "Holy Heart of St. Alfio”, starts here, definining the beginning of the great Patrons’ festivities.