La Cataldo, Palermo
La Cataldo, with La Martorana behind. Photo by c4r1n3b.
The contrasting churches of La Martorana (left) and La Cataldo.
The austerely beautiful medieval interior. Photo by Erik Ogan.
The three famous red domes from the inside. Photo by Erik Ogan.
the small apse and altar area. Photo by Cate Fuller.
The small Chiesa di San Cataldo is a squat, 12th-century Norman church standing next door to La Martorana in Palermo, Sicily.
History
Characterized by its striking red domes, the Norman church of San Cataldo was founded by Maio of Bari, chancellor to William I, in 1154.
Maio died in 1160 and the interior was never completed. The church has belonged to the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre since 1937.
What to See
The exterior looks like a squat stone box, with small arched openings. It is topped by its most characteristic element: 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 three petite stone cupolas above the central aisle 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
| Names: | Chiesa di San Cataldo; La Cataldo |
| Type of site: | Church |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Dates: | 1154 |
| Architecture: | Arab-Norman |
| Location: | Piazza Bellini 2, next to Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily |
| Phone: | 091-6161692 |
| Bus: | 101 or 102 |
| Hours: | Usually Tues-Sat 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun 9am-1pm (using key from La Martorana) or call ahead for a guided tour |
| Cost: | €1 |
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of La Cataldo. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Palermo Map or get our free Google Earth download.
