Catania Cathedral
Catania Cathedral (Duomo di Sant'Agata) is dedicated to the city's patron saint, Agatha, and was originally built in the late 11th century, though much of what stands today dates from post-earthquake rebuilding after 1693, when a massive quake leveled much of eastern Sicily. Its Baroque facade, designed by Giovanni Battista Vaccarini, is a defining feature of Catania's UNESCO-listed Baroque townscape.
Inside, the cathedral holds the relics of Saint Agatha and the tomb of composer Vincenzo Bellini, Catania's most famous native son. The saint's remains are carried through the city each February in one of Sicily's largest religious festivals.
The cathedral anchors Piazza del Duomo along with the Fontana dell'Elefante, making the square a natural starting point for exploring the city.
Catania Cathedral FAQs
Yes, the main cathedral is free to enter; a fee may apply to see the treasury or excavated Roman baths beneath it.
Composer Vincenzo Bellini has a tomb inside, alongside the relics of Saint Agatha, Catania's patron saint.
The 1693 Sicily earthquake destroyed much of the earlier structure; the current Baroque exterior dates largely from the 18th-century rebuild.
Yes, as an active church, shoulders and knees should be covered.
The Feast of Saint Agatha each February, when her relics are paraded through Catania in one of the largest religious festivals in Italy.
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