Palermo - San Cataldo

Built immediately next to the Martorana the church of San Cataldo, with its bright red dome rising above the decorative surmounting cornice, is similar in many ways to its neighbor. It, too, was a gift from one of the top state officials of the Norman period. When William I succeeded his father in 1154 he appointed Maio of Bari to succeed George of Antioquia as Grand Admiral.

As he came from Italy and not Greece, like his predecessor, Maio dedicated his church to a saint from his homeland, Bishop Cataldo of Trani, and chose the "Latin" ground plan, a triple-aisled basilica. Its longitudinal direction is emphasized by three Arabic domes above the elevated central nave. Its Arabo-Norman character is also demonstrated by the cubic exterior with three ogee windows on each side surrounded by blind arcades, and the fine ledge running around the upper edge.

Interior

The same strong square-shaped masonry is seen inside as well as out. Apart from the beautifully ornamented inlay of the floor and the capitals on the four ancient columns, the inside is entirely devoid of decoration. The three capitals referred to are Corinthian, one showing a variation from the original.