Holiday apartment in Aci Catena: Churches, Art and Landscapes

Aci Catena combines a widely dispersed artistic heritage with striking churches, historic buildings and distinctive landscapes. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Aci Catena will find many different starting points for planning their trip: sacred art in the historic centre, traces of the past in the Santa Venera al Pozzo archaeological area and Mediterranean landscapes around Aci S. Filippo.

Churches and Art in the Historic Centre

The Santuario di Maria SS. della Catena, also known as Santa Maria della Catena and Matrice, is the largest church in the historic centre of Aci Catena. Inside are several frescoes and paintings, including “Rebecca al pozzo” by Paolo Vasta. The furnishings also include a statue of the Madonna della Catena dating from at least 1630 and a fresco from the year 1400.

The Palazzo Riggio also represents Aci Catena’s wealth of detail: it is known for its carved portal and private chapel. The Chiesa di Santa Lucia was built in the 16th century and later rebuilt. Its portal, window and staircase are made of lava stone; inside, a wooden coffered ceiling with floral motifs also stands out.

The Basilica San Filippo d’Agira has the floor plan of a Greek cross, while the façade is defined by sixteen columns made of stone from Syracuse. Inside, the basilica has three naves, and double Doric columns support the high dome. It houses a silver, tower-shaped ciborium and a handmade ivory reliquary for the Viaticum.

Monastery, Library and Baroque Traces

The Convento Sant’Antonio da Padova, built in 1636, characterises the centre of Aci Catena together with the Piano Umberto. The lunettes of its cloister are decorated with frescoes depicting the life and work of Franciscan saints. A number of these frescoes were painted by Giovanni Lo Coco, whose nickname is “il sordo di Aci”. The convent library houses valuable incunabula and Cinquecentine. The Palazzo della Cultura completes the historic setting with a Baroque style typical of the period in which it was built.

Archaeological Landscapes and Mediterranean Nature

The Santa Venera al Pozzo archaeological area extends across a green hill a few kilometres from the sea, covering approximately nine hectares. The visitor route includes an antiquarium in the former Pennisi house of the Barons of Floristella. It contains materials ranging from prehistory to modern times, illustrating the history of Santa Venera al Pozzo. The Reitana Valley in Aci S. Filippo is considered a Greco-Roman valley containing the Santa Venera al Pozzo archaeological area.

The Timpa between the hermitage of Sant’Anna and Tavolone forms another landscape area. It is characterised by citrus groves and Mediterranean scrub and also includes the area of Contrada Giglio.

Summer Film Encounters

CineNostrum is a summer film event in Aci Catena that offers the public the opportunity to meet actors, directors and film critics. CineNostrum was held at the Santa Venera al Pozzo Archaeological Area.

Aci Catena’s artistic heritage is spread throughout the entire municipal area. Monuments can be found from San Nicolò through Aci S. Filippo to Aci S. Lucia.

More Destinations for Your Trip Planning

For further trip planning, you can also include Fondachello, Maletto, Vaccarizzo-Delfino, Santa Venerina, Randazzo, Riposto, Giarre and Trecastagni in your plans.

For the overview of the wider region: Catania.