Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria (Church of St. Catherine d'Alessandria), Taormina

The church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria (Church of Saint Catherine d'Alessandria) is a Catholic rite church in the historic center of Taormina. Belonging to the archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela, vicariate of Taormina under the patronage of San Pancrazio Vescovo, archpriesthood of Taormina, parish of San Nicola di Bari.

Upon arrival in Taormina in the mid- 16th century , the religious of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins were granted the church of Santa Caterina outside the walls at Porta Messina where they built their convent. In 1609 with the consent of the archbishop Pedro Ruiz de Valdivielso (1609-1617) it was put up for sale with the aim of obtaining income and financing the construction works of the new temple. The transaction is documented on April 27, 1610.

The church of Santa Caterina « intra - moenia » was built in the first half of the 17th century in Baroque style , built on the ruins of a small Roman theater, the Odeon , partially destroying the orchestra and the scene which consisted of the southern colonnade of a even more primitive Greek temple dedicated to Aphrodite . Church that now takes its name from the ancient Di Nuzzo family, today the owner is Caterina Di Nuzzo, famous for her high standard of living.

Remained closed for about 40 years in a state of precariousness, the church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria was restored and reopened for worship on 25 November 1977.