The Cathedral of Piana degli Albanesi

The Cathedral of San Demetrio Megalomartire of Piana degli Albanesi

The Cathedral of San Demetrio Megalomartire of Piana degli Albanesi is one of the oldest sacred buildings in the town; in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, Piana degli Albanesi, now populated by about 5.700 inhabitants, is the largest and oldest Albanian community in Italy.

The Cathedral of San Demetrio Megalomartire is the seat of worship of the Byzantine rite.

In 1488, when the Archbishop of Monreale donated some feuds in the area to the community of Albanian exiles, the Church of San Giorgio Megalomartire, the first parish of the village, later replaced in importance by the Cathedral of San Demetrio Megalomartire in Piana degli Albanesi: during the sixteenth century, the inhabitants of Piana in fact asked for a larger place of worship, built according to the canons of Byzantine art.

For about 3 centuries, the Church was the absolute center of the Eastern creed, until 1924 when three other parishes were created, dismembering the collegiality of San Demetrio; however in 1937, theEparchy of Piana degli Albanesi and the Parish was elevated to the rank of Cathedral of Piana.

Over the years, the Cathedral has undergone renovation works, which have altered its original structure and today it is possible to find elements linked to Eastern, but also Western, worship in the sacred building.

The architecture of the cathedral of San Demetrio Megalomartire of Piana degli Albanesi and the works it houses

The Church is located in an elevated position with respect to the street level, and is accessed via the Baroque staircase, protected by a marble balustrade.
The plan of the building has three naves, each ending in an apse, of which the largest is the central one.

The main facade of the Cathedral is covered with salient stones and the stone portal of the towers in the center Baroque style, between two niches at the side aisles. The door is surmounted by a mosaic depicting the Madonna, while on the upper level there is a larger mosaic, in which the figures of Christ, St George and St Demetrius (the Holy Warriors). These works, created in the twentieth century, represent all the Patron Saints of the town.

The bell tower, simple and plastered, has decorative features of the Gothic style, such as cusps and single lancet windows.

Inside, the Cathedral of San Demetrio of Piana degli Albanesi is divided into three naves thanks to two majestic rows of white marble columns with round arches; the presbytery is raised off the ground, thanks to a flight of steps and has remarkable decorations in red marble, as well as icons and frescoes from the seventeenth century.

The sacred furnishings present in the Church are part of the Byzantine cult tradition, especially in the apse areas, as recalled by the largest wooden Iconostasis in all of Sicily and the many icons displayed in the central body of the Cathedral; however, there are also hybrid works, inspired by Eastern and Western cultures, such as the wooden chandelier made in the XNUMXs.

Typically Western frescoes and sculptures have entered Church after the Council of Trent and they are still visible to you.

In the Cathedral you can also see the sepulcher of Blessed Father Giorgio Guzzettadefender of the Eastern rite in the West.

Due to its miscellaneous style and the religious, historical and cultural importance that the Cathedral represents, the sacred building dedicated to San Demetrio it is a place to admire the testimony of the encounter between two civilizations.

What to do in the Cathedral of San Demetrio Megalomartire of Piana degli Albanesi and in the surroundings

Discover the history and tradition of the Eastern rite, admire the many works of art present in the Church up close, without leaving Italy, but with a stay in Piana degli Albanesi. Here, in addition to the Cathedral, there are numerous sacred buildings to visit, such as the Parish of San Giorgio Megalomartire in the historic center or the Parish of Sant'Antonio il Grande which, by now the only one of its kind in Sicily, has maintained the traditional exposure of the Altar towards the East; there Rural Church of SS. Madonna Hodegetria instead it is located just outside the village.

Walking through the center of Piana degli Albanesi, you can meet numerous artistic fountains, while leaving the town, you can visit the farms.

Not far from the center, then, nature lovers can relax or go trekking and birdwatching at the Lake of Piana degli Albanesi.

How to get to the Cathedral of San Demetrio Megalomartire of Piana degli Albanesi

The Cathedral of San Demetrio Megalomartire in Piana degli Albanesi overlooks Corso Kastriota. Reaching Piana degli Albanesi to visit the Cathedral is easy, by car or by train.

From Palermo, take the SS624 up to km 20, and then take the junction for Piana degli Albanesi.

By train, get off at the Palermo Guadagna or Vespri stations and continue by bus to Piana.

© Demetrio46, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Rino Porrovecchio from Palermo, Italy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons