Location: Centro Catania
Top Things to do in Centro Catania
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Things to do in Catania, Sicily: The Best Historic Sites
Catania has been a prize of many empires over the centuries, from Greeks to Romans to Arabs to Normans to Spaniards (to name a few). But its citizens have a more dangerous enemy right in their backyard—Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, which destroyed the city with earthquakes and lava flows in 1693. Look closely at the baroque buildings dating from after the eruption—you'll notice a creative use of lava.
Restaurants in Catania
1. Palazzo Biscari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 459 reviews
The most important private palace in Catania and precious testimony of the Sicilian baroque. The frescoed halls, full of charm and elegance, represent a splendid setting for concerts, meetings, receptions, gala evenings, fashion shows.
Reviewed By Carolbike - White Salmon, United States
The owner is an excellent story teller about the original prince and his family, bringing the history of this well-maintained palazzo to life. It was very interesting.
2. Chiesa di San Nicolo All'Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By ludortravel - Iasi, Romania
It is an astonishing piece of architecture in terms of both size, architectural solutions and emotional impact. It includes also a memorial of the fallen soldiers and not only. The entrance is free and a paid guided tour is available.
3. Piazza Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,939 reviews
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
Catania's Piazza del Duomo is definitely the center of the city and probably also its most beautiful square. Besides the Duomo it is surrounded by various attractive buildings like the Palazzo dei Elefanti, which on its backside touches the Piazza Università. Opposite of it, to the south, is the Seminario dei Chierici with - attached to it - the Porta Uzeda. In the center of the square is the city's symbol, a fountain with an elephant surmounted by an obelisk. There are usually plenty of people in the piazza, many obviously using it as a meeting point.
4. Cappella Bonajuto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Cappella Bonajuto is one of the few tangible witnesses of a far away era (the Bizantine era), which however may be seen and explored, but mostly lived through the careful management of this corner of history, which has made all this possible. Once here you can choose to visit the chapel and its past, or choose it as an ideal location for your events or important occasions. The experience will take you back in a time that began at the beginning of the VI century A.D. "Cappella Bonajuto: Historical site. A Bizantine monument immersed in the heart of Sicilian Baroque" Walking on Via Vittorio Emanuele, entering its narrow and ancient streets, you'll find one of the strongest monuments of Medieval Catania: Cappella Bonajuto awaits you in all of its reborn splendor to be lived, just as it was in the past. The religious building, dating back to approximately the VI century is found in the 'Civita' neighborhood, and this is where the Chapel resisted the terrible earthquake of 1693. It is rich with repertories from the 400's and from medieval times. The paintings and decorations are very rare. Concerning its original location, the ground level of the building has dropped over two meters due to the earthquakes and lava flow. Salvatore, popularly known as Salvatorella, was integrated in the construction of the home residence of the Bonajuto family in the 4th century. In the 1930's the chapel was renovated by Paolo Orsi and Sebastiano Agati.
5. Saint Biagio Church - Sant'Agata alla Fornace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By ludortravel - Iasi, Romania
Sant'Agata alla Fornace church is a very important place for the people of Catania. The tradition says that here is the place where Saint Agatha, the patron of the city, was tortured. This and many other interesting facts and legends can be learn during the guided tour. It costs only one euro per person and you have the opportunity to learn from passionate young guides like Luca a lot about the saint, about the church and about Catania.
6. Parco Archeologico Greco Romano di Catania
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 922 reviews
Reviewed By ludortravel - Iasi, Romania
Only a small part of the actual Roman amphitheater is visible, the rest is under the surrounding buildings. However, it's enough to understand the impressive scale of the antique people of Catania accomplishment. The entrance is free and the amphitheater is located in the city center. Definitely it worth a visit.
7. Villa Cerami
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By WAW-YMX-YUL
Now part of the university, this villa is a great (free) attraction. From the entrance gate, to the stairs, gardens as well as the architecture of the main building, beauty is everywhere. Don't hesitate to enter (it's a public building, an university annex) and climb the stairs to the balcony and get an awesome view of the city, surrounding rooftops and domes! Found these tips helpful, click the button below to thank me and let me know! :-) THANK YOU!
8. Convitto Nazionale Mario Cutelli
9. Palazzo Rosa di Catania
10. Piazza Stesicoro
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By joshformentera - Copenhagen, Denmark
A very nice square located right in the middle of the biggest beautiful long main street in Catania. Piazza Stesicoro is one of the main and popular squares of the Old Town because its central location and its proximity to the typical market of “Fera o’ Luni“ .The square has a huge artistic and beautiful monument of Vincenzo Billini. The text written on the monument (A Vincenzo Bilinni A Patria.) The square is becoming a place for everyone as you'll see many people sitting on the square and taking time to relax of their past time and enjoy. On the side of the monument there is a church of St. Blaise which was originally built 1098, in front of the church its another piece of historical ruins in Catania.
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