The cathedral stands on the site that was once the Achilles baths. Even today it is still possible to access some remains of the Roman baths from the churchyard. The city's highest Christian temple is dedicated to St. Agatha and contains the most precious memories of the saint and the entire city. Repeatedly destroyed and then rebuilt, its present late Baroque image is due to the design of Girolamo Palazzotto.
The façade, on three orders in luminous Carrara marble, is designed by architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini. The apse still shows the oldest parts of the Norman-era temple. Inside, the Latin cross plan distributes the basilical spaces into three naves. Countless art treasures are preserved between the columns of the naves and in the chapels. Just to name a few among them, not to be missed is the tomb of Frederick III of Aragon, king of Trinacria and pride of the city of Catania. The funeral monument to Pietro Galletti, bishop of Catania and inspirer of the last reconstruction of the cathedral. The funeral monument to Bellini, one of Catania's favorite sons. And then all the relics and symbols of the martyrdom of St. Agatha.
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BASILICA CATTEDRALE - DUOMO
Piazza del Duomo, 95121 Catania CT
