Page 185 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

NOR THEASTERN SICIL Y  183

Piazza del Duomo, with the lovely Baroque fountain facing the Cathedral in the foreground
R Cathedral on the Ionian coast near Messina. P Castelmola
Piazza Duomo. Tel 0942­23123. In this masterpiece of Sicilian A winding road of 5 km (3 miles)
Open 9am–8pm. 5 Check website. Gothic architecture the influence leads to this pretty village
∑ arcipreturataormina.org of Arab masons is clearly seen in perched on a rock. Today you
The Cathedral (San Nicolò) was the wide black lava frieze only see the ruins of a medi­
built in the 13th century and alternating with rhomboidal eval castle, but in antiquity
has been altered over the white Syracusan stone inlay. Note this may have been the site
centuries. The austere façade the tri lobated arches and double of the ancient acropolis of
is crowned by crenellation. lancet windows on the façade. Tauromenion. From Castelmola
The 17th­century portal is The interior has a permanent you can enjoy one of the most
decorated with a medallion exhibition of the works of famous panoramic views in the
pattern, and over this are a sculptor Giuseppe Marzullo. world, especially fine at sunset.
small rose window and two
windows with pointed arches.
The nave has two side aisles
and a wooden ceiling, as well
as some interesting works of art:
The Visitation by Antonio Giuffrè
(15th century), a polyptych by
Antonello Saliba of the Virgin
Mary and Child, and an alabaster
statue of the Virgin Mary by the
Gagini School. In Piazza Duomo,
in the middle of which is a
lovely Baroque fountain, is the
Town Hall, Palazzo del
Municipio, with a storey lined
with Baroque windows.
P Palazzo dei Duchi di
Santo Stefano
Via De Spuches. Open 8:30am–
12:30pm, 4:30–7:30pm (3:30–6:30pm
in winter), Tue–Sun. Closed Mon.
This 13th­century building near
Porta Catania was the residence
of the De Spuches, the Spanish
dukes of Santo Stefano di Brifa
and princes of Galati, two towns Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano, influenced by Arab masons

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