Catania

Catania is a wonderful bustling city, with lively streets and nightlife and a beautiful UNESCO-listed historic center. In the background, Mount Etna volcano broods on the Horizon adding a thrilling edge and a beautiful backdrop to the city.
Etna is ever-present and has, to a large extent, shaped both the history and the actual existence of Catania. In the late 1600s, disaster struck twice. In 1669 the volcano erupted, covering Catania in boiling lava. Then, in 1693, a huge earthquake shook the town to its foundations. But out of the ashes arose the city that stands today – the entire old part of town was rebuilt in Baroque style, with large, wide open squares and avenues. The lava was used as a building material, thus Catania looks dark grey in color.
The most well-known tale about Catania concerns the life of virgin martyr Saint Agatha, the city’s patron saint. Her relics lie in the Cathedral. Agatha was put to death for her steadfast profession of faith during the Decian Persecution in 250 AD – the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Trajan Decius. A legend tells that the young virgin Agatha resisted the advances of the nefarious Roman prefect Quintianus and was horribly mutilated. Another legend says that carrying Saint Agatha’s veil, taken from her, in procession has averted the eruptions of Etna. Saint Agatha’s jewel-drenched effigy is venerated on the 5th February in one of Sicily’s largest festivals.
Another interesting annual festival is “Etnafest” which takes place from from July to December with classical music concerts, puppet shows and a varied program of rock, pop, blues, reggae and jazz concerts.
The attractions of the city are many and include the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Roman ruins, the “La Pescheria” fish market and the “Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia” museum which illustrates the history of the Allied landings in Sicily. Also worth seeing is “Porta Uzeda”, an impressive 17th century gate built to connect the main shopping avenue Via Etnea with the port. Not to be missed are the Teatro Bellini opera house and the charming retreat of Villa Bellini, both of which which are named after the great composer Massimo Bellini born in Catania. Last but not least, the central square – Piazza del Duomo, is where you will find the Cathedral of Saint Agatha and the smiling fountain “Fontana dell’Elefante” with the obelisk towering over it.
Castles and churches worth seeing include the Church of Sant’Agata al Carcere, where you can visit the jail in which Saint Agatha was imprisoned and suffered the atrocities, the 13th century foreboding castle “Castel Ursino”; and many other palaces, mansions and churches, especially the baroque imposing palaces and exuberant churches along the Via Crociferi.
The gastronomic delights of Catania are many and include the “Pasta alla Norma” pasta dish, the famous “Arancini”, the “Cassata Siciliana” and “Cannoli” desserts and the “Granite” water-ice. Ingredients for other delicacies of the area including Bronte pistachios, Zafferana Etnea honey and Etna DOC wine are grown on Etna’s volcanic slopes.