Santa Maria La Vetere, Medieval church in Militello in Val di Catania, Italy.

Santa Maria La Vetere is a church in Militello in Val di Catania that blends architectural styles spanning from the medieval period through the Baroque era. The building displays colored Gothic entrances, Roman-style stone capitals, and later additions that coexist within its structure.

Norman rulers built this house of worship around 1090 on a location where an early Christian cemetery from ancient times already stood. The ground held religious significance long before the Normans arrived.

The name "la Vetere" refers to the older church, distinguishing it from the newer Santa Maria della Stella. Since its Norman foundation it served the Latin-speaking Norman and Lombard community as a sacramental church, and local feudal lords held the right of patronage through the Apostolic Legazia of Sicily. A circular baptismal font with a Templar cross survives from its parish role.

This place of worship sits in the old town center of Militello and is easy to reach while walking through the historic streets. It is wise to check opening times beforehand, as religious services and special events can affect visitor access.

The rock oratory called the "Cripta dello Spirito Santo" holds crosses and symbols of the Templars, and a circular baptismal font nearby also carries a Templar cross with pommeled arms, evidence of the parish role the church held from the 12th century. The burials and hypogea around it span late Roman to modern times.