St. Pancras' Church & Roman Remains Outside the Porta Messina in Taormina, March 2005

St. Pancras’ church

The church consecrated to the Patron of Taormina, St. Pancras, Bishop and martyr, was built on the ruins of a Greek temple dedicated to Jupiter Serapis. Parts of the temple's cella can still be seen in the southern wall of the church. This church is in Barocco style and dates back to the second part of the 16th century.

Its main portal is very interesting with jambs and architraves in Taormina stone; two Ionian columns decorate each side of the portal. Inside the church the intermediate floor with the organ can be seen above this portal. Two interesting oil paintings on canvas hang above the two minor altars on the right of the church, one picturing the torture of St. Nicone and the other the consecration of St. Maximus who was St. Pancras' successor. Between the other two minor altars on the justify of the church there is a fresco picturing Teofano Cerameo, Taormina's last Bishop during the 11th century. A low railing in wrought iron separates the rest of the church from the main altar which is lavishly decorated with polichrome marble slabs and an Ionian column on each side, like those on the external portal. There are eight angels on the altar, four on each side, and a bust of God giving his blessing. A fresco picturing the torture of St. Pancras can be seen on the right of the main altar.

text from: www.gate2taormina.com/taormina_en.htm