Metropolitan City of Catania

Sicilian Religious Heritage

Sicily’s religious landscape is defined by the dramatic Sicilian Baroque style, particularly within the Val di Noto UNESCO sites. This collection features the Catania Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Agatha, and the expansive Benedictine Monastery, one of Europe's largest. Architectural highlights include the ornate facades of Via Crociferi in Catania, the Byzantine rural chapel of Santa Domenica, and the Neoclassical Basilica of San Pietro in Riposto. These sites represent centuries of history, from early Christian roots to post-earthquake 18th-century reconstruction.

Sicilian Religious Heritage — Map

E. Versluis / CC-BY-SA

A

Catania Cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Agatha, usually known as the Catania Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Catania, Sicily,…

B

Benedictine Monastery of Catania

Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, this monastery is a must-see! Visit the church, ancient Roman house and the museum of art, too.

Berthold Werner / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Basilica della Collegiata

The Ancient Royal and Eminent Basilica Collegiate of Our Lady of the Alms, better known as Basilica della Colleggiata, is a church in…

Giovanni Dall'Orto / Attribution

D

Badia di Sant'Agata

Badia di Sant'Agata or Abbey of St Agatha refers to an 18th-century Roman Catholic church and attached female convent located on Via…

Effems / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

San Benedetto, Catania

San Benedetto is a late-Baroque architecture, Roman Catholic church and former Benedictine monastery in the city Catania, Sicily, southern…

Effems / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

San Giuliano, Catania

San Giuliano is a Roman Catholic church and attached convent located on Via Crocifero #36 of Catania, Sicily, southern Italy.

Effems / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

San Francesco Borgia, Catania

San Francesco Borgia is a Roman Catholic church located on Via Crociferi #7, adjacent to the former Collegio Gesuita, and parallel to San…

Effems / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

San Francesco d'Assisi all'Immacolata, Catania

San Francesco d'Assisi all'Immacolata is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Catania, Sicily, southern Italy.

Fabrizio Di Natale / CC-BY-SA

I

Collegiate Basilica of San Sebastiano, Acireale

San Sebastiano is a Baroque-style, Roman Catholic collegiate basilica church located on Piazza Lionardo Vigo in central Acireale in the…

J

Basilica di Santa Maria

A 13th-century church in Randazzo constructed from dark volcanic lava stone, featuring a mix of Norman and Gothic architectural elements.

K

Chiesa di Santa Maria del Monte

Located at the summit of Caltagirone’s famous ceramic-tiled staircase, this church dates back to the 12th century and was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake.

Daiana Dallio / CC-BY-SA

L

Basilica dei Santi Pietro e Paolo

17th-century Baroque basilica in Acireale featuring a distinctive white stone facade and interior frescoes by Pietro Paolo Vasta.

M

Maria Santissima degli Angeli (Chiesa del Purgatorio)

17th-century Baroque church in Caltagirone featuring an ornate portal and interior artworks by local masters.

Antonio Ibarra Sánchez / CC-BY-SA

N

Cattedrale San Giuliano

The seat of the Bishop of Caltagirone, this cathedral features a 19th-century facade and a dome decorated with the city's signature ceramics.

Davide Mauro / CC BY-SA 4.0

O

Cuba Bizantina

A rare 7th-century Byzantine rural chapel near Castiglione di Sicilia, featuring a square plan, three apses, and a central dome.

Gimalgi73 / CC BY-SA 3.0

P

San Nicolò e San Salvatore

The late-Baroque Mother Church of Militello in Val di Catania, rebuilt after 1693 and home to a significant museum of sacred art.

Effems / CC BY-SA 4.0

Q

Basilica di San Pietro (Chiesa Madre)

Neoclassical Mother Church in Riposto with a facade modeled after the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome.

Nicolò Fiorenza / Public domain

R

Chiesa di Santa Barbara

18th-century church in Paternò dedicated to the city's patron saint, featuring a grand facade and housing the saint's relics.

Gabrimgr / CC BY-SA 4.0

S

Chiesa della Nunziatella

Medieval church in Mascali with Paleo-Christian origins, notable for its 12th-century Byzantine-style frescoes, including a Christ Pantocrator.

Cinegg / CC BY-SA 3.0

T

Chiesa Madre di Santa Margherita

18th-century Mother Church of Licodia Eubea, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake with a classic Sicilian Baroque stone facade.