2. Cathedral of St. George

An emblematic late Baroque building, designed by Rosario Gagliardi, architect of Noto and its Vallo and a significant player in the post-earthquake reconstruction (Fig. a).
The marvellous invention of this church lies in its façade characterised by its monumental, slightly convex “tower façade”, which incorporates the bell tower terminating in a “bulbous spire”.
Its location at the top of the high staircase and its oblique position in relation to the square, accentuate its grandeur.
The cathedral was built on the site of the Greek Orthodox church of St Nicholas, as evidenced by the discovery (during restoration work) of ahanging key belonging to a cross vault of the pre-existing church (destroyed in the 1693 earthquake), on which Saints Peter and Paul are carved. This artefact is now kept in the Museum of St. George.
The design was considered too innovative, therefore work began (after being approved by a commission) in 1744.
The work was completed in 1775, except the dome. The latter was built in 1820, in the Neoclassical style, by master builder Carmelo Cultraro, based on plans drawn up by architect Stefano Ittar.
This “double-dome”, resting on two rows of small columns (16 per row), is closed by enormous blue glass windows (Fig. c).
The sacristy houses the “Cona” (altarpiece) by Gagini, in Renaissance style, which was part of the sculptural apparatus in the apse of the old Church of Saint George, recovered and transferred to the new church (Fig. d).
The church has three naves, bordered by mighty columns, with pitchstone bases, ending in Corinthian capitals, supporting a ceiling with moulded, carved and sculpted stone decorations (Fig. e).
There are several paintings, including “Guardian Angel” by Vito D’Anna (1763) and a “Christ Appearing to Saint Gaudentia” by Antonio Manno (1782). In the transept, at the entrance to the Chapel of the Crucifix, is the tombstone of Bernardo Caprera from the old Church of Saint George. In the central nave, there is an 1887 Organum Maximum by the “Serassi” company from Bergamo, considered the masterpiece of the company (Fig. f).
A high wrought-iron gate (made by blacksmith Angelo Paradiso of Acireale) borders the large steps on which the Cathedral stands.