This Greek temple, which still features many of its peristyle columns and parts of the cella walls, was commissioned by the tyrant of Syracuse, Gelo, in 480 BC to commemorate the victory at Himera against the Carthaginians. During the 6th century AD its parts were incorporated into a church, overlapping the original temple structure. The Byzantines built solid walls between the columns and opened eight arches on the cell walls, thus transforming the temple into a three-nave Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.                   Subsequently, during the Arab domination in the 9th century, the building was probably used as a mosque, while in the 12th century, under Norman rule, it returned to being a Christian church.

Passing the staircase and the imposing Doric columns, you find yourself in a sober and solemn interior divided into three naves hosting various works of art including a painting depicting San Zosimo, attributed to Antonello da Messina.