Catania Cathedral

Catania Cathedral (Cathedral of Sant’Agata) is the principal Roman Catholic church in Catania, Sicily, and the seat of the Archdiocese of Catania. The cathedral dates back to the Norman period and is dedicated to Saint Agatha, the city’s patron saint.

The building is located on Piazza del Duomo and is visited for its Baroque façade, interior chapels and the shrine of Saint Agatha, which contains relics. The church forms part of the dense historic core of Catania rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, so it is commonly seen together with nearby monuments like the elephant fountain and the city hall.

Originally founded in the 11th century under Norman rule, the cathedral has been rebuilt and altered repeatedly after earthquakes and fires; the most significant reconstruction followed the 1693 Sicily earthquake. Over the centuries it has incorporated medieval, Renaissance and Baroque elements through successive restorations.

The cathedral stands in central Catania on the island of Sicily, on the north side of Piazza del Duomo, a short walk from the main shopping street Via Etnea and within view of the slopes of Mount Etna.

• Location: Sited on Piazza del Duomo in central Catania, the cathedral is the religious heart of the city and adjoins the Fontana dell'Elefante, a landmark urban monument.
• Architectural note: The present appearance is largely the result of post-1693 earthquake rebuilding, which gave the cathedral much of its Baroque character seen today.

What to See #

• Chapel of Saint Agatha: A chapel and set of reliquaries dedicated to the city's patron saint, housing important relics and used for liturgical ceremonies.
• Crypt and interior chapels: The cathedral crypt and interior chapels that contain funerary monuments and artworks accumulated over successive reconstructions of the building.