Catania is the main city of our province and is situated at approximately 15 km from Trecastagni. The development of the town has continued into the territory of the neighbouring areas, therefore forming an urban conglomeration with more than 350.000 inhabitants by the last census. It’s a town that only in the last few decades has become a sea resort, thanks to the opening of new modern large roads. The origin of Catania is very ancient and uncertain. The Chalcidian settlers possibly founded it around 700 B.C., then inhabited by the Sicani, Siculi, and the Greeks, and then it became a Roman colony an epoch in which it rose to considerable splendour. Testimony is the RomanTheatre, the Odeon, and the Amphitheatre, the first two still used today for summer shows. The town suffered destructive events, earthquakes and eruptions and very little remains of the Byzantine, Arab and Norman dominations. A magnificent testimony is Ursino Castle, built by Frederick II in 1200. Originallybuilt on the sea front, thenfollowinga succession of Mt. Etna’s eruptions is now located in the hinterland
 Ursino Castle |
 The cathedral and the elephant |
The terrible earthquake of 1693 destroyed the town. It was then rebuilt immediately in baroque style. Marvellous monuments, churches, and other buildings testify its splendour. To cite a few of the most important: Piazza Duomo, The Town Hall, The Seminary dei Chierici, The UzedaDoor, The Temple of Sant’Agata, & The Fountain of the Elephant, symbol of the town, Biscari Palace, that of the University and the grandiose monastery of theBenedictines, a large complex, second in Europe in size, only to that of the one in Mafra, Portugal. Today it is the University Faculty of Literature; it has two great internal cloisters. Adjacent to the Monastery is the Church of S. Nicola, a large temple built at the end of 1600 but unfortunately uncompleted. The inside of the church has three naves and reaches a length of 105 meters. The floors are covered in precious marble and the side chapels are enriched with paintings of famous artists, everything transmits a feeling of magnificence due to the height of the vault and the light that penetrates from the high windows.
 Donato del Piano 's organ |
 Via crociferi |
The main altar is bordered with a richly sculptured wooden choir and above it overhangs the organ of Donato del Piano that was almost totally destroyed by vandals, has now been finally restored. The church faces a semicircular square that creates a natural frame for its stateliness. It’s a centre for representations, summer concerts and is a constant attraction for visitors and tourists. This space is too short to completely describe all the treasures and the innumerable churches, buildings, monuments, and museums that make Catania a city not to be missed.
 Bellini theatre |
 Benedectini Monastery |
In this summary we cannot fail to include via Crociferi with its majestic churches, and it is quite rightly considered to be one of the most beautiful and charming roads in Italy. In the evening until late at night it’s animated with a constant flow of people attracted by the atmosphere of the surroundings and the numerous characteristic clubs and restaurants. Carlo Scala designed the pride of the city, The Bellini Theatre, built in the 18th C., and entitled to its Swan. Four tiers of boxes and a gallery surround the large hall. Highly appreciated lyrical and orchestral concerts are performed here. The Bellini Gardens an important green lung situated in the centre of the city, and the botanical gardens with their innumerable variety of exotic plants, also a glimpse at the fascinating seafaring village of
S. Giovanni li Cuti with it’s port, the suburb of Ognina with it’s church close to the shore, it’s small port and the art nouveau villas facing the sea. The large busy port of the city is one of the most important in the Mediterranean, on which the sun sets creating evocative and magical sights. Furthermore a visit to the market held every Sunday in piazza del Carmine with dozens of stalls that offer the weirdest objects, and the large markets like the “Monday market” and that of the fish market in the historical eighteenth-century part of the city, just a step from PiazzaDuomo that is reached passing by a splendid fountain fed from the torrent Amenano that passes in the subsoil of the city, the market that receives the freshly caught fish, the fresh fruit and vegetables that are authentic delights for one’s sight and the palate. It’s impossible to continue, otherwise we risk writing a novel, and that is not our intention at the moment.
 Amenano fountain |
 port at sunset |
Here we just wish to provide some brief notes on the city. For an in-depth study we prefer to invite you to explore the official commune website.
http://www.comune.catania.it/conoscerect/filodarianna/filo_verde.htm
Where you can also find recommended bilingual itineraries.
