Catania

it was founded by Chalcidian colonists, around 729 BC. City of Greek and then Roman origin, after the fall of the Roman Empire, it was dominated for many centuries by the Byzantines, the Arabs and the Normans and under the latter Catania went through a century of prosperity. Two events contributed to changing the face of the city: the eruption of 1669 and the earthquake of 1693. The new reconstruction gave it the eighteenth-century aspect that it still retains today in its historic centre, where its long straight streets,

they are all a succession of Baroque palaces.

PIAZZA DEL DUOMO

Of fundamental importance is the Piazza del Duomo, surrounded by Baroque palaces. At the center of the square is the Elephant Fountain, a very particular monument, symbol of the city, made up of a lava elephant holding an Egyptian obelisk. On the north side of the square stands the magnificent Palazzo del Municipio by Vaccarini and on the opposite side the Palazzo del’ex seminario dei Chierici. On the east side, the majestic architecture of the Cathedral stands out with a splendid façade and side elevation by Vaccarini and the beautiful Porta Uzeda from 1696. Nearby we find the splendid Palazzo Biscari, a magnificent example of eighteenth-century Catania Baroque and the grandiose Benedictine Monastery of S. Nicolò l’Arena.

The Ursino Castle built by Frederick II of Swabia now houses the Civic Museum. The scenographic Via Etnea and the Via dei Crociferi with its superb churches, including that of San Benedetto and San Giuliano, are important. Among the testimonies of the classical era, the Greek Theater and the Roman Amphitheater. A rich operatic and symphonic program is held in the stupendous Teatro Massimo. Folklore finds its most truthful expression in the feast of S. Agata and in the historical markets.