Cathedral of Patti
The Cathedral Basilica of San Bartolomeo a Patti stands next to the bishop's palace, in the hilly area overlooking the city.
It was built in 1094 at the behest of Count Ruggero d’Altavilla, who also founded the adjoining Benedictine monastery of the Most Holy Savior.
The façade, divided into three orders, has a lava decoration which, together with the white marble inserts of the frames and the lattice, create a very fine chromatic effect. At the first we find the central portal in Gothic style, consisting of three columns on each side interspersed with thinner columns that support capitals with zoomorphic figures, which support a pointed arch with several orders of splay. The ancient marble decoration, which survived the numerous earthquakes, is complemented by sober modern moldings that replace the missing parts, leaving the splendor of the ancient friezes intact. The second order is characterized by frames of blind mullioned windows with round arches, the external single lancet windows include blind oculi. The internal aedicule without lava covering bears an oculus seat of the modern glass window depicting the face of Christ. The third order is surmounted by a triangular tympanum. The southern entrance of the church has a Baroque portal from 1742. It consists of bases with Ionic columns and Corinthian capitals that frame a round arch and support a massive architrave with rich molding surmounted by curls with shells. In the inner part of the open tympanum there is the coat of arms of the Bourbons. On the pedestals there are very delicate carved lace depicting cherubs and phytoform subjects.
Inside the church there are valuable works of art and important funeral monuments, including the stupendous sarcophagus of Queen Adelasia, the wife of Count Roger and mother of Roger II, the first king of Sicily, who wanted to retire to Patti where he died in 1118.
