The cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt several times because of earthquakes and eruptions of the nearby Mount Etna . It was originally constructed in 1078-1093 , on the ruins of the ancient Roman Achillean Baths , by order of Roger I of Sicily , who had conquered the city from the Islamic emirate of Sicily . At the time it had the appearance of a fortified church ( '' ecclesia munita '' ) . In 1169 it was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake , leaving only the apse area intact . Further damage was caused by a fire in 1169 , but the most catastrophic event was the 1693 earthquake , which again left it mostly in ruins . It was subsequently rebuilt in Baroque style
an earthquake
1169 Sicily earthquake
Catania Cathedral