San Cataldo

A tiny eraser-domed church in central Palermo

In sharp contrast to the much-mosaicked La Martorana next-door, the little Norman-era church of San Cataldo beyond the palm trees is quite plain.

Begun 1154, the only decorations it got before the man who commissioned its construction—Maione di Bari, grand admiral for King William I (Giuglielmo I)—died in 1160 were a trio of pink, mosque-like domelets and some crenellations ringing the top.

Although San Cataldo served time in the 18th century as a post office, today the interior has been stripped wonderfully bare again, a quiet stony vault whose trio each of aisles, apses, and domes are lit through the stone latticework of small windows. The floor has some lovely polychrome marble mosaics.

It now serves as the Palermo seat for the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

 

see stay eat plan

 

Tips & links

Details

Chiesa di San Cataldo
Piazza Bellini 3 (next door to Piazza Pretoria)
tel. +39-091-611-8168
Open daily 9:30am–1pm (in summer also 3:30–7pm)
Adm: €2

Bus: 101, 102, 107, 122, 225, GIALLA

Planning your time

Nice to snap a picture of, but don't expect to spend more than 5–10 minutes here. There simply isn't anything to see except the building itself

Closed?

If it's closed, you can sometimes get the key in La Martorana next-door.

Tourist info

Palermo tourist office
Piazza Castelnuovo 34
tel. +39-091-605-8351
www.turismopalermo.it
www.provincia.palermo.it/turismo

Also useful:
www.comune.palermo.it
www.palermotourism.com

Buses: www.amat.pa.it
Trains: www.trenitalia.com
Airport: www.gesap.it
Port: www.portpalermo.it

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Lodging in Palermo
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Details
Chiesa di San Cataldo
Piazza Bellini 3 (next door to Piazza Pretoria)
tel. +39-091-611-8168
Open daily 9:30am–1pm (in summer also 3:30–7pm)
Adm: €2

Bus: 101, 102, 107, 122, 225, GIALLA
Tourist Info

Palermo tourist office
Piazza Castelnuovo 34
tel. +39-091-605-8351
www.turismopalermo.it
www.provincia.palermo.it/turismo

Also useful:
www.comune.palermo.it
www.palermotourism.com

Buses: www.amat.pa.it
Trains: www.trenitalia.com
Airport: www.gesap.it
Port: www.portpalermo.it


Palermo lodging
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★★ Centrale Palace Hotel [€€]
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