Catania: Baroque, History and Sicilian Everyday Life

Catania combines Baroque cityscapes, ancient architectural history and distinctive Sicilian everyday traditions. At the foot of Mount Etna, squares, monasteries, theatres and markets offer a variety of themes for a diverse cultural journey. The volcanic landscape and regional cuisine also shape the character of the city.

Baroque Centre and UNESCO World Heritage

Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral of Sant’Agata are considered the Baroque heart of Catania at the foot of Mount Etna. Catania is also one of eight urban components of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto”. The World Heritage Site encompasses specific urban areas, not the entire historic old town. For planning purposes, it is therefore worth viewing the Baroque centre as a clearly defined part of the city’s history.

The Palazzo Biscari is a particularly impressive example of this architecture. The palace is regarded as a symbol of Catania’s Baroque architecture and has a Rococo hall with elaborate decoration made up of mirrors, stucco and frescoes. Visits are possible by prior reservation. During the visit, a descendant of the princely family recounts the history of Palazzo Biscari and the family stories. In this way, the site combines architectural details with a personally conveyed history.

Ancient Buildings and Historic Monasteries

Catania’s ancient theatre was built in the 1st century AD over an existing Greek structure. Performances take place there again during the summer months, allowing the historic site to be used once more as a stage. The excavated area of the Roman amphitheatre is open to the public; 3D reconstructions show what the building may originally have looked like. Both sites reveal different layers of the city’s history.

Monastic architecture also occupies an important place in Catania. The historic Monastery of San Benedetto can be visited as part of a guided tour; guided tours of the Benedictine monastery are offered in Italian and English. The Monastery of San Benedetto on Via Crociferi is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Catania. The Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena is considered an example of late Sicilian Baroque architecture and is one of the largest Benedictine complexes in Europe. It includes a Roman domus, cloisters and a hanging garden. A set daily tour is open to everyone.

Market, Festival Traditions and Local Sweets

Catania’s fish market is located in a tunnel of the former city walls, which were built under Charles V. At the same time, the market is considered a place where visitors can immerse themselves in Sicilian street-food culture. The city’s culinary tradition also includes the sweet known by two names, “Cassateddi di Sant’Aita” and “Minni di Sant’Aita”, as well as “Olivette”, which are associated with the tradition of Saint Agatha and are offered in Catania’s pastry shops.

The celebrations in honour of Saint Agatha reach their peak on 3, 4 and 5 February. The procession passes the places of her martyrdom and follows the oldest streets of the city. During it, the faithful carry richly decorated monumental candle holders known as “Candelore”. This combination of religious history, the public cityscape and regional sweets gives Catania its own cultural rhythm.

Mount Etna Landscape and Typical Drinks

Over the centuries, lava flows from Mount Etna have repeatedly covered traces of Catania’s past. As a result, artefacts lie hidden beneath the city. In the wider region around Catania, the routes in Etna Park mostly run across more recent and historic lava flows, through wooded and treeless areas, and across land that has been used for agriculture for many years. The city’s history and the volcanic landscape are therefore two clearly different yet closely present themes of the journey.

In everyday life, Etna’s influence is also evident in the drinks served at Catania’s kiosks. Among other ingredients, they are prepared with mineral water from the slopes of Mount Etna, syrups and soda; the syrups are often made from Sicilian citrus fruits. At the traditional kiosks, passers-by were also offered “acqua e zammù”, meaning water with a few drops of anise extract.

Getting There and Choosing Where to Stay

For travelling to the area, an AMTS Catania bus connects Catania-Fontanarossa Airport railway station with the airport terminal. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Catania, you can take the focus of your trip into account: the squares, monasteries, theatres, market traditions and festival sites represent the city’s culture; Etna Park opens up a different landscape theme in the wider region.

Other Places for Your Own Orientation

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

For the overarching travel overview: Sicily.