Description of the attraction
The Cathedral was built in Marsala during the Norman rule in Sicily. It was probably built on the site of an early Christian basilica - in the practice of the Normans, it was customary to build temples on the foundations of previously existing sacred sites. Built at the end of the 12th century, the cathedral was consecrated in honor of the English saint Thomas Beckett, who was a symbol of freedom and human dignity, as well as devotion to Christ and his church. Despite his close friendship with King Henry II, Beckett opposed his decision to try the priests in an out-of-church court. For this, in 1170 he was killed, and already in 1173 he was canonized by Pope Alexander III.
Through private donations and the interaction of ordinary citizens of Marsala, the church has become a local center for Christianity and the arts. The building of the cathedral has undergone numerous changes, including redevelopment and significant restorations. In the middle of the 19th century, a massive dome was erected, and in 1915 Michele Polizzi erected a large organ, which was placed under the 1656 painting depicting the martyrdom of Thomas Beckett (by Leonardo Milazzo). A little later, in the same place, in the side chapel, a marble altar by Michele Giacolone appeared. Attention is drawn to the statues of Saints Vincenzo Ferreri and Thomas, attributed to Antonello Gagini, and the majestic wooden choir with eight high-backed armchairs on each side.
A 17th century marble baptismal font is crowned with an octagonal wooden casket, and next to it hangs a canvas by an unknown artist depicting the Baptism of Christ. The chapel of St. Christopher is dedicated to the patron saint of travelers, and is looked after by peasants and workers who clean the church. And in the chapel of St. Rosalia, there is a statue of the so-called Blessed Virgin from the Cave. It is also worth noting the 18th century Late Baroque altar in the chapel of the Crucifixion of Christ - it is covered with valuable Sicilian marble and contains a wooden crucifix from the 16th century. Among other significant works of art of the cathedral are the statue of Madonna della Mazza from the early 16th century, the sarcophagus of the Liotta family, memorial plaques depicting Saints Eligius and Olivia, the Archangel Gabriel and John the Baptist, the statue of the Virgin Mary from 1593 in the chapel of the Blessed Virgin of Portasalvo.
At the beginning of the 20th century, after a long period of reconstruction, work was completed on the vaults of the dome and the chapels adjacent to the main altar, as well as the floor and marble altar of the presbytery. The dome itself was raised to a higher level.
