La Cataldo, Palermo
Known for its distinctive red domes, the small Chiesa di San Cataldo is a 12th-century Norman church standing next door to La Martorana in Palermo, Sicily.
History of La Cataldo
The church of San Cataldo was founded by Maio of Bari, chancellor to William I, during the Norman occupation in 1154. After Maio died in 1160, the interior was never completed.
The church has belonged to the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre since 1937.
What to See at La Cataldo
The exterior of this small church looks like a squat stone box with small arched openings. It is topped by its most striking feature: a row of three Saracen-style, bulbous, red "golfball" domes.
To see inside the church (which is worthwhile), ask for the key from a custodian sitting at a tiny table to your right as you enter La Martorana next door.
The austere stone interior, with bare walls and three petite stone cupolas over the nave, evokes a strong sense of the Middle Ages. Aside from the carved capitals, the only decoration is the fine mosaic tilework on the floor.
Quick Facts on La Cataldo
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Chiesa di San Cataldo · La Cataldo |
|---|---|
| Categories: | churches |
| Styles: | Romanesque |
| Dedication: | St. Cataldo |
| Dates: | 1154 |
| Visitor and Contact Information | |
| Coordinates: | 38.114800° N, 13.362500° E |
| Address: | Piazza Bellini 3 Palermo, Italy 90133 |
| Phone: | 091/6375622 |
| Hours: | Tue-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun 9am-1pm |
| Lodging: | View hotels near La Cataldo |
References
- Chiesa della Martorana/San Cataldo - Frommer's Sicily
- San Cataldo - Fodor's Sicily
- The Rough Guide to Italy 7
More Information
- Photos of La Cataldo - here on Sacred Destinations
Map of La Cataldo, Palermo
Below is a location map and aerial view of La Cataldo. Using the buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map with your mouse.