Catania is located on the eastern coast of Sicily at the northern end of the Gulf of Catania, at the foot of the Mount Etna volcano. Although Catania is the proverbial city, it also has its tourist face. The city delights with its historic buildings, sandy beaches and tasty Sicilian food.
Catania is a port located on the shores of the Ionian Sea. This proximity is the reason why fans of water activities and good sunbathing will find something for themselves here.
Sightseeing In Catania
Piazza del Duomo Catania
Duomo Square, in its central place there is the symbol of Catania – a fountain with a basalt elephant (at Liotru, Fountain dell Elefante from 1736). The main building on the square is the Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata, a Roman Catholic cathedral with beautiful architecture and a characteristic dome. It also has a bypass. The cathedral was built in the years 1078-1093. It was destroyed by earthquakes many times and rebuilt.
Teatro Massimo Bellini
Teatro Massimo Bellini is one of the most beautiful opera houses and the most important gems of this city thanks to its architectural beauty and history.
Teatro Massimo Bellini has a magnificent neo-baroque façade, but the rest of the building has a different style. Many famous artists visited there.
Ursino Castle (Castello Ursino) – In 1669, during the eruption of Etna, the city and the castle were in danger, but fortunately the embankments and ditches around the castle saved them, although to some extent, unfortunately not completely. In the 1930s, the castle was restored and turned into a museum.
Palazzo Biscari
Palazzo Biscari – The palace was built in the 18th century by the Biscari family. It is a private building that can be visited with a guide. The façade is characterized by a triple order of balconies, with decorations in the Baroque style. The palace’s spectacular interiors are used for social and cultural events.
Roman Amphitheater in Catania
Roman Amphitheater in Catania. In terms of size, it was the second amphitheater after the Roman Forum. A small part is visible today in Piazza Scesciro. It could accommodate 15,000 to 20,000 spectators and was built in the 2nd century. Unfortunately, lava Etna caught him in 251. AD. Today, this area is a historic part of the city.
Plaja di Catania
The longest sandy beach in Catania is Plaja di Catania. It stretches south of the city for approximately 18 km along Viale Kennedy. There are parts of the public beach (spiaggia libera) where everyone can come with their belongings and camp wherever they want.
You can rent sun loungers and umbrellas there (they don’t use screens on Sycycla). This is a place with restaurants, bars, toilets and other amenities.
Delicates of Sicilia
Caponata
Local delicacies of Sicily:
- Arancini – colorful rice balls These are colorful rice balls stuffed with various ingredients and then breaded and fried.
- Caponata – a traditional delicious vegetable mixture. there are vegetables such as eggplants, tomatoes, onions, celery, capers and olives, stewed in tomato sauce and usually served cold.
- Cassata Siciliana, an exquisite sweet cake. It is a multi-layered cake consisting of sponge cake, ricotta cheese, candied fruit and icing. It is decorated with colorful icing and decorations.
- Panelle, classic chickpea pancakes made of chickpeas, flour and parsley, fried until golden. They are mainly served in the form of a sandwich.
- Pesce Spada alla Ghiotta, for seafood lovers – grilled swordfish served with aromatic tomato sauce, capers, olives and herbs, which gives it a unique taste.
Catania is a great place for families with children, water sports and sunbathing enthusiasts, and lovers of monuments. Moreover, you can find traces of Roman and Greek buildings here.
