Santa Caterina, Baroque church building on Corso Umberto, Taormina, Italy
Santa Caterina is a Baroque church featuring a facade of pink marble columns and Corinthian capitals, topped with a central niche. The building sits along the Corso Umberto in the heart of Taormina's pedestrian center.
Construction of the church began in the first half of the 17th century after Capuchin friars acquired the former church site just outside the city walls in 1610. The facade was later enhanced with decorative elements reflecting local Baroque craftsmanship.
The interior displays a marble statue of Saint Catherine of Siena holding a palm branch, a book, and a sword. This representation reflects the local devotion to this saint.
The church sits about 100 meters from Porta Messina in the pedestrian zone and is easily reached on foot. Wear comfortable shoes as the area is hilly with cobblestone access routes throughout.
The site sits above the ruins of a Roman Odeon theater, which itself was built atop an ancient Greek temple. These layers of history lie beneath the modern structure.
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