Catania Overview The city of Catania is to be found approximately halfway down Sicily's eastern coastline, overlooking the Ionian Sea and itself overlooked by Mount Etna. The cities origins go back nearly three thousand years with many of its ancient structures in evidence. Over the millennia Sicily has come under the control of a number of other cultures; Greek, Roman and Islamic rule have all contributed to the character and Catania like the rest of Sicily has that character that is distinctly different from the rest of Italy. Being so close to Mount Etna has meant that for a very long time the city and region has been at the mercy of both seismic and volcanic events, but a characteristic of Catania is that it has always dusted of the ashes and carried on and forward. Due to its central coastal location Catania is an excellent base from which to explore the eastern side of Sicily and has transport links around the region, however some places are only accessible by car. From Catania there are many places that take an hour or less to travel to. There are many historic sights to be seen and buildings from various era's in Sicily's past, including Greek, Roman and Arab architecture. The Islands UNESCO World Heritage Sites are also easily reached from the city as are nature reserves and national parks. If you prefer not to drive or take a coach to travel north to Messina or south to Syracuse, the trains run almost the full length of the east coast. For shopping, Via Etnea is the place to head for as some of it is now pedestrianised, making for a much more relaxing experience and no typical Italian traffic to contend with. Via Etnea has not just local shops but also the bigger brand names, Giorgio Armani being just one such famous name. Being a coastal city means one thing to diners, some of the freshest seafood to be found in Sicily and the cities fish restaurants take their local resources seriously. As you would expect from almost anywhere in Italy the local eateries are rightly proud of their local produce. If you speak Italian it's a good idea to find where the locals themselves eat, as its rare to find an Italian/Sicilian who is not passionate about what they eat. Accommodation in Catania ranges from a 5 star hotel all the way to bed and breakfast and self catering so it is really down to your budget and taste. In general the city's accommodation is priced reasonably and of good quality. If you are prepared to drive a little way from the city there a places to stay in rural locations that can offer peace and quiet in tranquil suroundings. The climate Catania is rarely cold, although it's fair to say the locals would consider the winter cold, whereas for example a north European would regard it as simply cool. If you visit during the winter and don't want to look like a tourist take note of what the locals wear an dress in a similar way. The winter temperature averages around 15.5 degrees Celsius and summer about 32 degrees Celsius. Places to Visit Mount Etna Naples is not the only Italian city overlooked by a active Volcano, one of Mount Etna's most recent eruptions was in April 2010 but fortunately no appreciable damage was done. The volcano, despite its occasional activity is still a must see place to visit and if you visit in the winter, skiing is possible. Mount Etna is located just a short distance north of Catania in the Etna Regional Park and an organised tour is probably the best way to visit the mountain as it will have an experienced guide. page 1 / 5
Teatro Massimo Bellini The Opera House Teatro Massimo Bellini is a music lovers idea of heaven, throughout the year there are Opera and Concert seasons. Since it's opening in 1890 the building has played host to some of the worlds greatest orchestra's and opera troupes within its impressive interior. The theatre is named in honour of one if Italy's best known composers of opera Vincenzo Bellini, who was born in Catania, over the years the majority of Bellini's works have been performed The Cathedral of Catania Dating back to the eleventh century, the Cathedral has been rebuilt many time's due to earthquakes and Mount Etna's volcanic activity. Although the current building dates to the early 1700's, some of its eleventh century parts still remain. Since the 1700's the Cathedral has had many additions including it's dome which is from the early 1800's. The tombs of a number of kings are to be found inside as is that of Vincenzo Bellini. Catania Civico Museum in the Castello Ursino The museum is located inside the impressive Castello Ursino, local art is one of the museums focus's as well as many other exhibits. The castle dates from around the 13th century and is still an imposing sight so close to the city centre. Villa Romana del Casale Dating from the 4th century, the villa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site about an hour to the west of Catania. The collection of Roman mosaics at the site rivals any to be found anywhere else across the Roman Empire. For many centuries the villa was all but hidden from memory and view, until serious excavation of the site began in the late 1920's. One of the most famous mosaic's on view is nicknamed the 'The Bikini Girls' depicting young women engaged in sports, wearing what appears to be modern bikini's. Messina Less than 90 minutes to the north of Catania is the port city of Messina from which you can reach mainland Italy around 7 kilometres to the west, across the Straits of Messina. The city shares a similar history to Catania. The city was the setting for William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, although set when the city was ruled by Spain. As with Catania, Messina has many sights of interest to tourists. Syracuse Less than 90 minutes to the south of Catania, Syracuse owes its origins more to ancient Greece than to Italy and was the mathematician Archimedes was born. The city Syracuse is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and provides tourist with many sights to see. Regular Events page 2 / 5
January - Carnival of Acireale (Acireale) This centuries old carnival is one of Sicily's most colourful annual events. Acireale is less than 20 kilometres to the north of Catania and is a must see for families with its brightly coloured floats and followers. Much of decorations on the floats and indeed the mask's worn by the performers is made of paper mache. The floats at the carnival are divided into two categories, the Allegorical Floats which are often satirical, taking shots at celebrities and politicians and the Flower-Decorated Floats which are by far the most colourful. As if that were not enough the carnival is a much about those visiting as the event itself, join in and be part of the whole experience. February - Feast of St. Agatha (Catania) Saint Agatha of Sicily was born in Catania and is entombed there. Each year the festival attracts many thousands of visitors between the 3rd and 5th of the month. The Festival ends with a procession throughout the night in the city. Far from being a dour religious event the Feast of St. Agatha is a celebration of the life and martyrdom of one of Siciliy's best known saints. May - Noto Flower Festival (Noto) Since 1984, the Noto Flower Festival has taken place on the third Sunday of the month when the streets of the city are lined with magnificent floral displays. Noto is roughly an hours journey south from Catania. June - Theatrical Season at the Greek Theatre (Syracuse) During the season the theatre stages productions from ancient classical writers from Greece. To sit in the theatre watching the productions is as near to a journey back in time as is possible to get. July - EtnaFest (Catania) Before we start, understand this is an almost unique festival, for 6 months the event is a roller-coaster of entertainment aimed at almost every taste. Musically it is difficult to list everything on offer, but suffice to say during the 6 months, whatever your taste it will probably be there from classic to rock, folk to reggae, indie to jazz and R&B to Gospel. If the music was not enough to whet your appetite there is also theatre, cinema and even a puppet opera. Depending on what you like check out the agenda and book accordingly. August - MedFest (Buccheri) MedFest is a two day medieval festival of music, magic and mayhem. Performers from around the world put on stunning shows of skill and often mirth. Acrobats and stilt-walkers are among those who thrill onlookers with their cunning stunts and spectacular fireworks displays light the evening sky. October - Festival of Street Artists (Ragusa) page 3 / 5
If you like acrobats, jugglers and all sorts of tomfoolery on the streets then the festival is not to be missed. The yearly event starts on a Wednesday and finishes on Sunday and takes place all around the Old City, turning the streets into one massive circus. Getting Around Airport Transfers Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (Aeroporto di Catania-Fontanarossa Vincenzo Bellini) is to be found at less than 5 kilometres south-west of the city. Messina is around 110 kilometres to the north of the airport, while Syracuse is about 60 kilometres to the south. The Airport history was the region's first airport dating back to 1924 and has grown to be among the busiest in Italy. Over the years it has changed location and been expanded. By Bus The service which is operated by AMT Alibus Service, takes around 20 minutes to reach the city, traffic permitting. Between 05:00 and midnight the service provides 3 buses per hour. Other bus services can be found at the airport serving Messina and Syracuse. By Taxi Taxi's are available close to both the old and the new terminals and depending on traffic take 20-30 minutes to get to the city. By Car Car hire at the airport gives you the choice from many companies, including the larger global names. From the airport follow the signs to the SP70 motorway and head north, at the end of the SP70 on the outskirts of the city follow the signs to your end destination. Travel time depends on traffic so allow at least half an hour, although the journey can be shorter. On Foot In the city centre, due to its small size, by far the best way to get about is to walk. Apart from the freedom walking affords it allows you to take in the sights in a leisurely manner and to stop almost anywhere you like. Bus Buses are to be found in the city, however they have a reputation for long waiting times. Unless you intend to travel outside of the city walking is usually quicker. Metro At the current time Catania has a small Metro system, a total of 6 stops running between Porto and Borgo. Extensions are planned or under construction. Car If you are driving for the first time in a foreign city, Italy is probably the most challenging to start with but if you page 4 / 5
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) WIZZ Guides are confident of your diving ability, car hire is available around Catania. Scooter/Motorcycle If any form of transport is synonymous with Italy and Sicily it is the Vespa scooter, almost any photo you see of Italian or Sicilian streets, you will probably see a scooter somewhere in it. For those travelling alone or in pairs, the scooter offers speed and freedom that cars cannot match and can be (and usually are) parked almost anywhere. If you intend to travel outside of the city then a larger motorcycle is also a good option. There are a number of companies in Catania offering scooters and motorcycles for hire. page 5 / 5