A magnetic and fascinating city, Catania immediately welcomes you with an informal and modern atmosphere: full of clubs and full of life, it is considered the centre of Sicilian nightlife and a hotbed of contemporary art and innovation.
Of course it has a chaotic and scruffy side, the grunginess of certain neighbourhoods and the neglected monuments, is also part of its charm: accept it as a whole package and you will fall in love with this young and alternative city lying at the foot of Mount Etna and touched by the sea (and sun-kissed, as it’s almost always sunny).
The first thing that strikes you when here its the climate: mild for most of the year, but often with higher temperatures compared to the that of the other Sicilian cities.
The centre has beautiful two-tone coloured architecture: black and white lava stone alternate with buildings and churches that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site and represent one of the most beautiful expressions of the Sicilian Baroque.
History of the city in 100 words
Founded in 729 BC and was named Katane, it was later dominated by the Romans, Byzantines, Saracens and Normans, each of whom have left their mark in its culture, architecture and cuisine.
Scarred by two terrible natural disasters - the eruption of Mount Etna in 1669 and a violent earthquake in 1693 - Catania was always able to come back and rebuild itself stronger and more beautiful than before, thanks also to the work of the architects Vaccarini and Ittar who gradually gave it the baroque architecture style you see today.
It is a centre of culture, music, art and technological innovation, as well as a venue for important events and interesting urban regeneration projects from the grassroots level.
WHAT TO SEE IN CATANIA
The great classics
Piazza Duomo and the Cathedral of Saint Agatha: this baroque square with its black and white buildings is the heart of the city, with the statue of the Elephant (the Liotro, symbol and good luck charm of the city) in the centre, the beautiful Amenano Fountain and of course the imposing Cathedral dedicated to the Santuzza - Saint Agatha - patron saint of the city whose relics are kept here.
The Fish Market (Pescheria): it is impossible not to be captivated by the genuine and chaotic atmosphere of the fish market! It is open every day (except Sunday) from early morning until lunchtime.
Via Crociferi: the most beautiful street of the city, entirely pedestrian, it’s a succession of beautiful baroque churches and stunning palaces.
The Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò: today it is home to the university department of humanities, frequented all day by students and professors; nothing has changed in its architecture the same as it was before. The Benedictine monastery with its two cloisters, the Novices' garden, the spectacular library and the underground kitchens. Absolutely worth a visit!
Teatro Massimo: Dedicated to the famous and beloved Catanese classical musician Vincenzo Bellini, the theatre is located in the delightful square of the same name and captivates our heart with its luxurious interiors, the ceiling is painted with the most important scenes of Bellini's works and of course it has perfect acoustics.
Roman Amphitheatre: Piazza Stesicoro is partly occupied by the ruins of this Roman amphitheatre, but all you see is a tiny part of a whole architectural complex that is beneath the current city. Fascinating to visit, especially when visits to the huge hidden part are organized.
Greek Roman archaeological park and Odeon: right in the heart of the old town, just a few steps from the Duomo, immerse yourself in another era by visiting the fascinating ruins of the theatre built in the 2nd century, the small theatre Odeon was used for rehearsals at the time.
Castello Ursino: Striking, medieval and fascinating, the Castle of Frederick II Duke of Swabia dominates the square of the same name and today houses the city's museum. It often hosts exhibitions and shows of national and international importance.
Off the beaten track
We asked the locals: what are the 3 most worth experiencing and unusual things to do in your city?
We are not talking about the usual monuments, churches or museums visited by everyone; we want to know your favourite place where would you take a friend who's from out of town to
make him experience 100% your reality.
A walk (with caution) in the San Barillo quarters - The San Berillo quarters, crippled by property speculation in the fifties, has always been considered a run-down area of the city, home to crime and prostitution. In recent times numerous associations have been working to restore dignity to the neighbourhood and its inhabitants, by organizing cultural activities and redevelopment initiatives. For example, the beautiful tour of "Catania Segreta" (Secret Catania) you can visit the neighbourhood in the company of its inhabitants, who tell you first-hand about the joys, pain, memories, difficulties and hopes of those who still do the "oldest job in the world". In the neighbourhood you will find the street where the writer Goliarda Sapienza was born and grew up, the Re.Ba Museum, and a lot of beautiful murals, made by local and international graffiti writers and artists, which tell us the history of the this super fascinating neighbourhood. In the Piazza delle Belle, recently redeveloped, you can sit outside and have a drink or eat something.
Parco Gioeni (Gioeni Park)- It's a bit more far out of the way than the more central and accessible Villa Bellini, it’s definitely much less frequented by tourists and travellers, but this is a shame! Parco Gioeni is right at the end of Via Etnea and you can get there by bus or with a short walk from the Borgo metro station: it's quite big, perfect for walking, relaxing in the green, finding a corner to reflect, meditate, do yoga, read a book or whatever you want ... and above all there is a beautiful view that embraces the whole city until it reaches the sea.
The Fortino - Porta Garibaldi (Gateway of Garibaldi), commonly called "U fortinu", is an suggestive monument and perhaps the most underestimated when tourists visits the city, but it is worth the walk along the whole of Via Garibaldi to admire this city gate in black and white, black lava stone and white stone from Lentini, designed by the architects Ittar and Battaglia. The inscription under the arch says "Melior de cinere surgo" ("I rise even more beautiful from my ashes"), just like Catania did after all the destruction caused by earthquakes, eruptions and natural disasters, has always risen and rebuilt itself more beautiful than before. To reach the Fortino you will walk along Via Garibaldi, which as it moves away from Piazza Duomo and its elegant and clean image, you enter the neighbourhood and blend in daily life, in the chaos, in the reality of the street being a bit more run-down but authentic and real.