Location: Catania
Top Things to do in Catania
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What to do and see in Catania, Sicily: The Best Architectural Buildings
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. Villa Rigoletto di Catania
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
2. Basilica Catedrale Sant'Agata V.M. Catania
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,857 reviews
Reviewed By ArmyRangeratMIT - Wayne, United States
The city of Catania is a wonderful afternoon visit, with parking quite easy right outside the piazza… Heading towards the cathedral you see the iconic statue in the middle of the piazza that quite often symbolizes all of Sicily… Plenty of pictures can be had here and you can walk in almost any direction to find shops and stores… And of course the cathedral looks beautiful in the afternoon sun whether or not you go inside or just enjoy the beauty! Pick a spot to have a bite to eat and enjoy your glass of wine and your good luck finding a lovely afternoon in Catania!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Palazzo Valle
7. Palazzo Centrale
8. Palazzo Minoriti
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5 reviews
9. Palazzo di Giustizia
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
10. Palazzo Gioeni
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