Duomo di Taormina (Cathedral of Taormina), Taormina
The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Bari, also known as the Cathedral of Taormina, stands in Cathedral Square just off Corso Umberto and has been one of the town鈥檚 defining monuments since the 13th century. Built during the Norman period on the site of an earlier church, it earned the nickname 鈥渇ortress cathedral鈥� because of its thick stone walls and battlements, which reflected both its religious and defensive roles in a time when coastal towns were vulnerable to raids.
The fa莽ade presents layers of history. A large Renaissance rose window crowns the center above the main portal, flanked by Baroque Corinthian columns from the 17th century, while side entrances were added in the 15th and 16th centuries. The square bell tower, rebuilt several times, rises beside it. Inside, the cathedral follows a Latin cross plan with three naves ending in three apses. Pink marble columns divide the space, their capitals decorated with carved motifs of leaves and fish. The high altar of polychrome marble dominates the interior, while doorjambs feature carved symbols of the evangelists and apostles, adding to the rich iconography.
The chapels hold treasures of Sicilian art and devotion. In the right nave are works by Antonio Giuffr猫 and Antonello de Saliba, including depictions of the Visitation, Madonna, and the Last Supper, as well as a Byzantine Madonna covered in silver and jewels. The left nave contains lunettes by Alfonso Franco. In 1980, Pope John Paul II elevated the church to the status of Minor Basilica.
Outside, the Four Fountains of Taormina complete the setting, making the square and cathedral together a vibrant center of history, faith, and civic pride.
The fa莽ade presents layers of history. A large Renaissance rose window crowns the center above the main portal, flanked by Baroque Corinthian columns from the 17th century, while side entrances were added in the 15th and 16th centuries. The square bell tower, rebuilt several times, rises beside it. Inside, the cathedral follows a Latin cross plan with three naves ending in three apses. Pink marble columns divide the space, their capitals decorated with carved motifs of leaves and fish. The high altar of polychrome marble dominates the interior, while doorjambs feature carved symbols of the evangelists and apostles, adding to the rich iconography.
The chapels hold treasures of Sicilian art and devotion. In the right nave are works by Antonio Giuffr猫 and Antonello de Saliba, including depictions of the Visitation, Madonna, and the Last Supper, as well as a Byzantine Madonna covered in silver and jewels. The left nave contains lunettes by Alfonso Franco. In 1980, Pope John Paul II elevated the church to the status of Minor Basilica.
Outside, the Four Fountains of Taormina complete the setting, making the square and cathedral together a vibrant center of history, faith, and civic pride.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Taormina. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Duomo di Taormina (Cathedral of Taormina) on Map
Sight Name: Duomo di Taormina (Cathedral of Taormina)
Sight Location: Taormina, Italy (See walking tours in Taormina)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Taormina, Italy (See walking tours in Taormina)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Taormina, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Taormina
Creating your own self-guided walk in Taormina is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Taormina Introduction Walking Tour
In 396 BC, the notorious tyrant Dionysius I of Syracuse instructed his commander Andromachus to establish a settlement at the foot of Mount Etna. This came after Dionysius had destroyed the ancient Greek city of Naxos, leaving its displaced inhabitants in need of a new home. The settlement's original name, Tauromenion, meaning 鈥渄welling on the Taurus,鈥� referred to the nearby mountain... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles