The Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria

This church is certainly of Basilian origin: this can be seen from the apse facing south, with the “main” altar on the opposite wall to the north; there are also traces of lost frescoes in the original apse.

The first document mentioning the church dates from 1310, but it was restored in 1646, as indicated on the entrance door.

The artistic wooden ceiling, made up of 558 coffers, was made in 1839 by artists from Serra San Bruno.

On the altar there is a tempera painting on wood depicting the Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (Sposalizio mistico di S. Caterina d’Alessandria con Gesù Bambino). According to the historian and critic Antonio Gesualdo, it is the work of the Iberian master Perea. However, several scholars claim that the panel is not by Perea but by another artist of the same period, around 1500, and that it was restored a few years ago. On the right is the figure of Saint Francis of Paola, the founder of the Minims, who, together with Saint Andrew Avellino, has been the patron saint of Badolato for many years. The discrepancy in the dates of the saint’s beatification suggests that it was added after the work was created.

At the base of the altarpiece was a predella depicting the Apostles, which was stolen, along with two other paintings, by unidentified persons.

On the left wall, under the stolen canvas, some traces of colour were visible: it was a fresco depicting the Virgin and Martyr, St Catherine of Alexandria. Restored in 2006 by the master Pino Mantella, it dates back to around 1450.

The custody and care of the church is entrusted to the Centennial Confraternity of Saint Catherine, whose members take part in the most important religious processions in the city. Every year, on the 25th of November, the liturgical feast of Saint Catherine, the Confraternity organises a festival that is increasingly enriched with attractions and participation.