Holiday apartment in Catania – Baroque, UNESCO and Mount Etna

Catania is one of eight urban components of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto”. The World Heritage site includes specific urban areas in Catania, not the entire historic old town. Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral of Sant’Agata are considered the Baroque heart of the city at the foot of Mount Etna. At the same time, the lava flows of Mount Etna have repeatedly covered traces of Catania’s past over the centuries, leaving artefacts hidden beneath the city.

Culture

Between ancient architectural history and Baroque architecture, Catania offers several distinct places to visit. The ancient theatre of Catania was built in the 1st century AD over an already existing Greek structure. Performances take place there again during the summer months, allowing the venue to be used once more as a stage. The uncovered area of Catania’s Roman amphitheatre is open to the public; 3D reconstructions show what the building may originally have looked like.

Palazzo Biscari is considered a symbol of Catania’s Baroque architecture and features a Rococo hall with elaborate decoration made up of mirrors, stucco and frescoes. The palazzo can be visited by prior booking; during the visit, a descendant of the princely family recounts its history and family stories. The historic San Benedetto Monastery on Via Crociferi is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in Catania and can be visited as part of a guided tour. Guided tours of the Benedictine monastery are offered in Italian and English.

Buildings

The Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena is an example of late Baroque Sicilian architecture and is one of the largest Benedictine complexes in Europe. Its features include a Roman domus, cloisters and a hanging garden. The monastery offers a set daily tour that is open to everyone. Thus, various historical layers stand side by side in the cityscape: the Roman domus, ancient theatre buildings, Baroque halls and ecclesiastical complexes, each with its own architectural character.

Traditions

Catania’s fish market is located in a tunnel of the former city walls built under Charles V. It is regarded as a place where visitors can immerse themselves in Sicilian street-food culture. The pastry shops also uphold a special local tradition: they offer the sweets “Cassateddi di Sant’Aita”, associated with Saint Agatha and also known as “Minni di Sant’Aita”, as well as “Olivette”.

Drinks at Catania’s kiosks are prepared, among other ingredients, with mineral water from the slopes of Mount Etna, syrups and soda water. Syrups made from Sicilian citrus fruits are also frequently used for this purpose. At the traditional kiosks, passers-by were also offered “acqua e zammù”, water with a few drops of anise extract.

The highlight of the celebrations in honour of Saint Agatha in Catania takes place on 3, 4 and 5 February. The procession passes the places of her martyrdom and follows the city’s oldest streets. During it, the faithful carry richly decorated monumental candleholders known as “Candelore”.

Landscape

In the wider regional surroundings of Catania, the trails in Etna Park mostly run across more recent and historic lava flows. They pass through wooded and treeless areas as well as land that has been used for agriculture for many years. The wider surroundings therefore also display different landscapes shaped by volcanism, vegetation and agriculture.

Getting there

An AMTS Catania bus connects Catania-Fontanarossa Airport railway station with the airport terminal.

Other places

Aci Trezza, Acireale, Catania, Giarre, Linguaglossa, Nicolosi, Nunziata, Piedimonte Etneo, Randazzo, Riposto, San Giovanni Montebello, San Pietro Clarenza, Sant'alfio, Zafferana Etnea, Viagrande, Fiumefreddo Di Sicilia, Ragalna, Mascali, Milo, Trecastagni, San Giovanni La Punta, Pedara, Misterbianco, Castiglione Di Sicilia, Canalicchio, Caltagirone, Calatabiano, Aci Castello, Santa Tecla, San Michele Di Ganzaria, Monterosso, Santa Venerina, Paternò, San Cono, Carruba, Aci Catena, Fondachello, Mascalucia, Aci Sant'antonio, Santa Maria Di Licodia, San Gregorio Di Catania, Aci Bonaccorsi, Bronte, Biancavilla, San Leonardello, Pozzillo, Torre Archirafi, Motta Sant'anastasia, Ramacca, Valverde, Belpasso, Vizzini, Tremestieri Etneo, Vaccarizzo-Delfino, Mineo, Grammichele, Puntalazzo, Sant'agata Li Battiati, Passopisciaro, Adrano, Montelaguardia, Scordia, Linera, Calcerana-Marina, Militello In Val Di Catania, Castel Di Judica, Petrosino, Mirabella Imbaccari, Santo Pietro, Presa, Licodia Eubea, Gravina di Catania, Montargano, Santa Venera-portosalvo, San Giorgio, Maletto, Carlentini, Pasteria-Lapide

To the overarching travel overview: Sicily.