IMPRINT CATANIA HISTORICAL. Catania. 18 Summer smart destination. Peloponnesian War begins between Athens and Sparta and their allies

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1 HISTORICAL IMPRINT OF CATANIA Stone Age tribal groups migrate across Mediterranean Phoenicians establish trading settlements along northwestern coast Peloponnesian War begins between Athens and Sparta and their allies Carthage commences a century of debilitating and indecisive wars with Syracuse The Italian invasion of Sicily begins 3000 BC 1000 BC 800 BC 431 BC 409 BC 301 BC 282 BC PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT AND GREEK CULTURE 18 Summer 2017

2 Words by Liene Eglīte Publicity photos Hometown to the famous Greek leader Euarcho, the city of Catania is a sight to see. Having been under the leadership of numerous empires over the course of many centuries, it has changed diversely yet never lost its magical essence. Arabs, Normans, Romans, Spaniards and so many more have led their lives through this town, all leaving a certain print in the Catania we see today sensational, outstanding, beautiful. Rome and Carthage battle for Sicily in the First Punic War Carthage cedes its territory; Rome begins 600 years of rule in Sicily Capital of Roman Empire moves to Constantinople Eastern and Western Roman Empires split apart Vandals from North Africa invade and capture Sicily 264 BC 241 BC 241 BC Summer 2017 PERIOD OF ROMAN RULE 19

3 Background It was approximately in 729 BC when Greeks, coming from a nearby town of Naxos, founded Catania, and until the 5th century BC it was mainly considered as a Greek trading town. Then came the mighty tyrant Hieron I with thousands of new settlers, moving the original inhabitants to Leontini. After his death the original Catanians sought to come back and settle up the southern slope of Mount Etna. Lava flow then destructed the site, and the rebuilt town was conquered by Dionysious I as he enslaved the whole population and moved in the Campanian soldiers. Moving on to the Middle Ages, Catania slowly lost its agricultural and provincial importance while ruled by the Byzantine and Arabia. Just as it became the commercial and maritime centre during the Norman ruling, a tragic earthquake in 1169 hit the town and destroyed a major part of the civilians. The devastation was huge, and only in 1434 did the town come back to its strength, as one of the world s oldest universities was established. Throughout the next few centuries, Catania developed into a strong and important location that could only be brought down by the strongest of forces. And such was the destiny when Mount Etna showed its force yet again by destroying all of the Western part of the city, followed by an earthquake that didn t stop until the whole city was destructed. It was the 18th century that brought Catania back to life, architecture and volcanic footprints still bearing a certain melancholy yet charm throughout the streets of the city we walk today. Sightseeing One of the most significant focus of the town is the beautiful yet dangerous Mount Etna. Some even say that after its last eruption one can see the harsh prints of lava on the baroque buildings of the town. To the ancient Greeks Mount Etna was a God of fire, as well as the home to the mythical Cyclops. The volcano that nearly destroyed Catania with an earthquake in 1693 and lava flows in 1669, now stands proudly to remind everyone of its unpredictable ways, still providing the best home for the lushes of plants that cover the mountain all throughout. Next to, behind, across, besides almost every single sightseeing spot appears somewhere around the one and only Piazza del Duomo. Catania s central square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by the grand Cattedrale di Sant Agata and various baroque-style buildings. In the very centre of the piazza the stage is taken by a fountain dating back to Roman times Fontana dell Elefante an actual black-lava elephant carrying an Egyptian obelisk on its back. The fifth prince of Biscari Ignatius Paterno Castello was keen on preserving his imperial residence that was founded in the 15th century, thus Palazzo Biscari was built directly against the city walls that had partially withstood the earthquake. The whole palace is built with the total of Barbarian mercenaries led by Odoacer overthrow Western Roman Empire Vandals cede Sicily by treaty to Odoacer Theodoric s Ostrogoths invade and seize control of Italy Ostrogoths succeed to dominion over Sicily Byzantine Empire army under Belisarius drives Ostrogoths from Sicily BC PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT AND GREEK CULTURE 20 Summer 2017

4 700 rooms and it overlooks the famous marinas, as well as trains passing by. Its halls with paintings and frescoes within it are all restored to their original status. The place not only includes guided tours through the private apartments, but also hosts numerous banquets, meetings and even concerts, filled with traditional cuisine and musical entertainment. Piazza Universita holds quite a history as it was founded in 1434, therefore being the oldest university in Sicily, as well as the 13th oldest in Italy. Shortly after the establishment of the first four faculties, the lessons were held in Piazza del Duomo. Only in the 1960s the studying premises were moved to the current building. Quite a number of conflicts between the civil and religious authorities rose as initially the university was overseen by the bishop of Catania he was in control of the lecturers, as well as the curriculum. Starting from 1818 the control over the establishment was assigned to the President of the Great Civil Court. A place that holds together the most of the culture monastery, university and library Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolo l Arena. It is considered as one the largest monasteries in Europe and now home to two large cloisters. Although a part of the monastery is closed to public eye, there is still a significant space open for housing Sicily s most important library, successfully integrated into the structure of this 16th century building. A Piscaria Mercato del Pesce or La Pescheria market is Catania s most exquisite of sites. Experience the life of the city as you browse through the freshest of products - clams, mussels, swordfish, prawns, anchovies, squids and many more. Every single morning the market lights up and does not rest until the day has gone by. Even the fruit sold in the market hold a particular significance and quality as they have been planted in the fertile Etna lava soil. And all of it surrounded by the historical buildings possessing Catania s cultural heritage. The city of Catania holds a versatile architectural range, as churches and cathedrals of the city have been built throughout a number of centuries. Cattedrale di Sant Agata holds its charm with Roman baths directly underneath the building, whereas at Chiesa di San Francesco one can witness the historical 11 giant candelabras, paraded through the town during the Festa di Sant Agata. Chiesa Badia di Sant Agata is a church of the 18th century design, hosting a magnificent Carrara marble floor and amber-coloured altars in Castronovo marble. Welcomed with two allegorical female figures, Chiesa di San Giuliano was created by a Silician baroque architect Vaccarini. Title of the Sicily s largest church goes to Chiesa di San Nicolo l Arena a building that was actually never finished as the works on it were interrupted by an earthquake during the 17th century. The prophet Mohammed founds Islam Saracens from North Africa begin their invasion of Sicily Saracens complete the conquest of Sicily Normans begin their invasion of Sicily Normans rule Sicily as part of a powerful new kingdom Summer 2017 PERIOD OF SARACEN RULE PERIODS OF FRENCH AND GERMAN RULE 21

5 CATANIA IN SPOTLIGHT GOURMET Catania Pasta alla Norma The cuisine of Catania is strongly related to Sicilian features, hence considered as the home of Sicily s iconic pasta alla Norma. Arancini is a rice croquette stuffed with such ingredients as meat sauce, mushrooms, smoked salmon and others, usually served orange because of the saffron used in the making of it. If in need for a snack, choose Sfincione which is a pizza made from thick bread and garnished with tomatoes, onions and anchovies. For salad-enthusiasts we suggest Caponata that magnificently holds together eggplant, olives, capers and celery. For the ultimate seafood experience, try grilled swordfish or cuttlefish served in its own black sauce with pasta. Finnochio con sarde is a fennel with sardines, also made with pasta. For a sweeter tooth, there is the Cannolli full of creamy ricotta and sugar, or better yet Cassata cake. Vincenzo Bellini opera composer in dedication to whom an opera was opened in 1890 Teatro Massimo Vincenzo Bellini. Giovanni Verga the greatest writer of Italian literary movement Verismo, whose novels display the true life amongst the lower levels of the Sicilian society. Arancini Francesco Longo Mancini a painter largely known for his nude works. A 2012 film Acqua Fuori Dal Ring is set in Catania, including locations of the Librino neighborhood and Black Lava Fields of Mount Etna. ON THE GO Bus Buses 1-4 and 4-7 run hourly from Catania Centrale Station to Via Etnea. Tickets cost 1 euro and last for 90 minutes. Taxi Call Radio Taxi Catania or pick a cab next to the train station and at the northwest corner of Piazza del Duomo. Train There is only a one-line metro that has six stops, all of them located throughout the town. This is the main means of transport for the tourists going from Catania Centrale Station to the Circumetnea train going around the Mount Etna. Tickets cost 1 euro and last for 90 minutes. Car and Motorcycle If you choose to drive throughout the city by yourself, be aware of the complicated one-way system that follows the various streets of Catania. For example, driving along Via Vittorio Emanuele II is only from West to East, while Via Giuseppe Garibaldi goes from East to West. Footage from the Mount Etna eruptions was recorded and included into the landscape of the planet Mustafar of the 2005 Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Frederick II, hailed as Stupor Mundi, succeeds his father Henry VI King Henry VI of Germany, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, seizes the Norman kingdom Supported by Pope Urban IV, Charles, Count of Anjou, seizes control of Sicily, slaying Frederick II s illegitimate son and successor Manfred Sicilians revolt against the Anjou French in the dramatic episode known as the Sicilian Vespers, cede sovereignty to Manfred s son-in-law, Peter III, King of Aragon Sicily enters a brief period of independence under Frederick III, brother of the King of Aragon and grandson of Manfred PERIODS OF FRENCH AND GERMAN RULE PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT AND GREEK CULTURE 22 Summer 2017

6 MOUNT ETNA To the ancient Greeks Mount Etna was the God of Fire and home to the Cyclops. Zeus, king of the gods, trapped the monster Typhon under the mountain. Typhon was the last son of Gaia. He and his mate Echidna, half-woman, half-snake, released many famous monsters into the world. The forges of Hephaestus, or Vulcan to the Romans, are also said to be located in Etna s bowels. The remorseless volcano that destroyed Catania again and again stands watchful and unpredictable on the horizon. Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity. It is the tallest active volcano in Europe and has the highest peak south of the alps. Etna is by far the largest of Italy s three active volcanoes, two and a half times as large as Mount Vesuvius. But she doesn t only bring destruction. Etna s volcanic soil is rich with nutrients, making fertile agricultural land. Vineyards and orchards cover the lower slopes of the mountain and Catania s broad plains to the south. The mountain s largest feature is the Valle del Bove or the Valley of the Ox, a large horseshoe-shaped caldera on the eastern slope. Mount Etna has the longest recorded history of eruptions of any volcano and a much longer geological history. Diodorus Sculls recorded an eruption in 425 BC. The Roman poet Virgil wrote about Etna in the Aenid. Roman records from 122 BC tell of a large eruption that blocked the sun for several days and caused widespread damage to Catania. Roman taxes were cancelled for 10 years to help the locals rebuild. Other recorded eruptions took place in A.D. 40, 1169, and 1185 when the townspeople of Catania made one of the first known attempts at damage control by digging a trench to divert the lava slowly advancing upon their town. In 1169 an earthquake destroyed the Catania, killing most of the population. The devastation was immense. It took nearly three centuries before the town regained its strength. In 1669 lava destroyed the Western part of the city, and in 1693 an earthquake shook the very foundations of Catania until the entire city was destroyed. More recent eruptions took place in 1928, 1960, and 1992, when the US Marines were called in to help with Operation Volcano Buster. Tyrrhenian Sea Etna Mediterranean Sea Eurasian plate Sicily African plate Mount Etna, like other Mediterranean volcanoes such as Stromboli and Vesuvius, rests on the subduction boundary where the African tectonic plate is being pushed under the Eurasian plate. Etna sits on the active fault between the African plate and the Ionian microplate, which are both being subducted together beneath the Eurasian plate. Slab window Height 3,329m covers an area of 1,190 km 2 Alphonso V the Magnanimous of Aragon reunites the Kingdom of Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples War of Spanish Succession erupts through Europe Treaty of Utrecht leads to New Kingdom of Two Sicilies Garibaldi leads forces from the Kingdom of Savoy in conquering the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and creating the Kingdom of Italy, the first unitary government of Sicily and the Italian pennisula since the Roman Empire PERIOD OF SARACEN RULE PERIOD OF ITALIAN STATEHOOD 24 Summer 2017