The cathedral of Sant'Agata is one of the tourist attractions in Catania which you must visit when you come for Catania tours. The cathedral of Sant'Agata is situated on the spot where Saint Agatha died a martyr's death in 251. The cathedral originally belongs to the Benedictine abbey of Sant'Agata . This was promoted to a bishopric in 1092.
The cathedral was constructed between 1086 and 1090, when Normans under Roger I (1085) took control over Catania . The cathedral of Sant'Agata was built at the place where Roman springs of Achilles was present. From these relics as well as from other ancient buildings, materials were taken for constructing the three-aisled cross-shaped basilica.
The cathedral suffered destructions in the earthquakes of 1140 and 1169 when repairs on an extensive amount was done and during the earthquake of 1693 the cathedral was fully renovated. The measurements of the central area of the church were kept intact. Some interesting facts cropped up during the excavations of (1950-59), like the Baroque exterior trappings in the eastern part of the building was preserved in its original form. The cathedral of Sant'Agata has a long projecting transept along with separated side rooms. There are also three apses, with artificial arcades dividing it on the outside. You can get view of all this from the courtyard of the archbishop's palace.
Inside the cathedral there are pointed arches which are a typical feature of the Normans and the columns fixed on the boundary of the building. The nave was remodeled by Girolamo Palazzotto, and in 1736 G. B. Vaccarini finished the construction of the facade. Six columns were added which were designed from the relics of ancient buildings.
Cathedral of Sant'Agata in Catania is one of the popular tourist hotspots. There are festivities on 3, 4 and 5 February in honor of Sant'Agata. On the 1st day candles are lighted and each group makes an offering of a huge "candelora" which is taken out in the procession . Some of the "candelore" are of even 1200 kilograms weight. There is a dazzling fireworks display in Piazza del Duomo.
The second day of the festivities sees the people here wearing long white tunics. This is as a mark of respect to the historical night of 1126 when people of the city came out of their houses in their nightshirts. They rushed to meet two citizens who had returned from Constantinople with the Saint's remains. This festival also includes a splendid procession where the statue of Sant'Agata, bedecked with all the splendid riches which are preserved in the Cathedral of Sant'Agata.
During this festival processions are taken out throughout the city , the places where the Saint was associated . The festivities end late at night, and the procession statue or the fercolo comes back to the Cathedral. When the festival is about to end white carnations replace the red ones which are used on the previous day. These are a symbol of the saint's martyrdom. After the festival "fercolo" is taken back to the Cathedral of Sant'Agata and the finale is magnificent display of the fireworks.
Travel.mapsofworld.com provides online information of Cathedral of Sant'Agata
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