Catania - Cathedral of Sant'Agata 
The cathedral of Sant'Agata in Catania stands, according to tradition, on the spot where Saint Agatha died a martyr's death in 251, and owes its existence to the Benedictine abbey of Sant'Agata which in 1092 was promoted to a bishopric.
History
Between 1086 and 1090, shortly after Catania was conquered by the Normans under Roger I (1085), the building of the cathedral was begun, and on the very spot where the Roman springs of Achilles had been.
History
Between 1086 and 1090, shortly after Catania was conquered by the Normans under Roger I (1085), the building of the cathedral was begun, and on the very spot where the Roman springs of Achilles had been.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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From these remains, as well as those of other ancient buildings, the materials were taken for the three-aisled cross-shaped basilica.
Earthquakes in 1140 and 1169 soon made extensive repairs necessary and after the earthquake of 1693 a complete renovation was indispensable. The nave was kept to its original measurements. During excavations which took place during a recent restoration (1950-59), it was possible to establish that underneath the Baroque exterior additions the complete east part of the building has been preserved in its original condition. The long protruding transept with its detached side rooms and three apses, the external sides of which are divided by false arcades, can be seen from the courtyard of the archbishop's palace.
In the interior these parts have had their original building materials made visible, as well as the pointed arches so characteristic of the Normans and the columns set into the edges of the building. During the reconstruction the nave was rebuilt under the direction of Girolamo Palazzotto, and in 1736 G. B. Vaccarini completed the facade. For this he used six columns from the previously destroyed Norman cathedral. These themselves had been fashioned from the remains of ancient buildings.
Earthquakes in 1140 and 1169 soon made extensive repairs necessary and after the earthquake of 1693 a complete renovation was indispensable. The nave was kept to its original measurements. During excavations which took place during a recent restoration (1950-59), it was possible to establish that underneath the Baroque exterior additions the complete east part of the building has been preserved in its original condition. The long protruding transept with its detached side rooms and three apses, the external sides of which are divided by false arcades, can be seen from the courtyard of the archbishop's palace.
In the interior these parts have had their original building materials made visible, as well as the pointed arches so characteristic of the Normans and the columns set into the edges of the building. During the reconstruction the nave was rebuilt under the direction of Girolamo Palazzotto, and in 1736 G. B. Vaccarini completed the facade. For this he used six columns from the previously destroyed Norman cathedral. These themselves had been fashioned from the remains of ancient buildings.
Related Attractions
Cappella della Madonna
From the right-hand transept arm of the Cathedral of Sant'Agata in Catania a portal by Giovanni Battista Mazzolo (1545) leads through to the Norman Cappella della Madonna. Its two sarcophagi, one Roman and one medieval, contain the remains of various Aragonese kings and of Constanza of Aragon (d. 1363, consort of Frederick III).
Cappella di Sant'Agata
The main feature of the right-hand transept arm of the Cathedral of Sant'Agata in Catania is the Cappella di Sant'Agata, which is closed off by a wrought-iron gate. The marble triptych on the altar of this greatly venerated chapel is the work of Antonello Freri (16th century). The life of Saint Agatha is the main theme of the richly carved choir-stalls (1588), and in the choir there are more tombs of Aragonese Kings of Sicily. In the sacristy there is a contemporary portrayal of the eruption of Mount Etna in 1669, with the lava flow which reached the Castello Ursino, and also of Saint Agatha, who wards off the worst misfortunes that might befall the city.
Interior
The interior of the Cathedral of Sant'Agata in Catania, which is crowned by a drum-shaped dome, impresses by its size and proportions. It has been designed to be Catania's pantheon. This is immediately evident to the visitor when by the second pillar on the right he sees the simple tomb of the famous opera composer Vincenzo Bellini, who was born in Catania in 1801 and died while still a young man in 1835. His remains were transferred to the city of his birthplace in 1876.
