San Martino, Gothic church in Randazzo, Italy
San Martino is a Gothic-Norman church on the piazza of the same name in Randazzo. Its late 16th-century facade is built mainly of black lava stone, with a two-storey central nave linked by volutes to the lower side aisles. The 13th-century bell tower with mullioned windows survives; the interior was rebuilt after the 1943 bombings destroyed the four original naves.
A church existed here by the 5th century, and the Lombards who came with the Normans settled the area. The bell tower is Norman in style; in the 13th century the main body was enlarged to three naves, and in the 14th a fourth nave was added to the south. Anglo-American bombing on 6–11 August 1943 destroyed the four original naves.
The baptismal area with its marble font shows how the community has practiced its faith across generations. The church continues to serve as a gathering place and spiritual center for locals today.
The church stands in Randazzo's San Martino square, the quarter that shares its name, in the town centre. The bell tower is the easiest landmark to aim for when walking through the streets. The building was hit by Anglo-American bombing on 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 August 1943, which destroyed the four original naves, so expect a structure rebuilt after the war.
A notable detail is the marble baptismal font created by Angelo Riccio in the 15th century. This handcrafted piece is a rare example of decorative craftsmanship from that era.
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