Santa Caterina Church (Chiesa di Santa Caterina)

The basics

Set near the main Corso Umberto I in the heart of Taormina’s old town, this church dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria has a spartan exterior that gives way to lavish internal stucco work, restored in the 1970s. It was during this restoration that some of the ruins underneath the modern church were unearthed, which can now be visited.

Join a walking or Segway tour of Taormina’s historic center to best interpret the various architectural styles and archaeological remains, along with other town highlights like the Greek Theater and Duomo. You can also take a day trip from Syracuse, Messina, or Catania to explore the area—including the nearby town of Castelmola and Mount Etna.

Things to know before you go

• The church is accessible to wheelchairs, but the crypt and Roman Odeon are not.

• Wear a hat and sunscreen when touring Taormina’s historic center, since you'll be spending a significant amount of time outdoors.

• Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required to visit Sicilian churches.

How to get there

The Santa Caterina Church is located on Largo Caterina just off Corso Umberto I in Taormina’s historic center. Trains stop beneath the town along the coastline, and buses run between the station and the center above.

When to get there

During the hottest midday hours in the summer, Taormina can be unpleasant to tour. Visit first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon, and tuck into the town’s cool churches to beat the heat during the day.

Santa Caterina in stone

The church is home to two important sculptural renderings of St. Catherine of Alexandria: one in an external niche above the church’s central portal, created by Paolo Greco in 1705, and a second inside the church dating from 1493. The latter was previously displayed in the ancient Church of St. Catherine outside the walls, later a Capuchin church.