The Church of Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani

Messina

Built between the 12th and 13th centuries and initially known as the Church of Santa Maria di Castellammare due to its proximity to the Castellammare fortress, during the Aragonese period in the 14th and 15th centuries, it was handed over to the confraternity of the Catalans, hence its current name. In Arab-Norman style with Byzantine elements, the façade features three doors, with the central one topped by a Catalan diamond-shaped coat of arms, while the side doors have lintels. Inside, the windows and arches are adorned with alternating blocks of limestone and bricks. The crypt is located underground.