Dating from 1608, the old cathedral, located in the citadel, between the Spanish rampart and the Aragonese rampart, is a typical example of Sicilian mannerism.... the decline of the upper town and the transfer towards the lower town of the centres of politics and administration for the town has meant that the cathedral has fallen into disuse. It has been a warehouse, a prison and, the ultimate sacrilege, a stable!

A little imagination needed! Try to ignore the billboard for the old discotheque which is stuck on the facade and look instead at the two orders which are separated by a decorative band of sculpted stone, somewhat dilapidated... The attractive ogive doorway is topped by a shield inscribed with the date of construction of this palace (1412) and ought to be better seen.

Built in the 1930s, the new cathedral has some valuable paintings, among which stand out an attractive Annunciation with intense colours and Venetian influenced, two St Nicholases attributed to Antonio Giuffre a painter from the school of Antonello, and works coming from a broken up triptych by Antonello de Saliba.

Built in 1100 under Norman domination, the church was reworked in the 13C. The apse is a perfect example of the composite Norman style: Roman features, Arabic influences and Byzantine elements are harmoniously combined. The church's name refers to the Catalan merchants who established themselves in Messina and who used it as a chapel.