Catania Travel Guide

The city is the second largest city in Sicily. It is divided into ten municipalia, or administrative areas. It lies at the foot of Mount Etna facing the east coast of Sicily.

It is the birthplace of numerous famous poets, philosophers, and people of the ancient time such as Chandoras, Stesichorus, and others. It’s patron saint is Saint Agatha, in which her feast day is celebrated every 5th of February yearly.

Catania is a recommended place for weddings and honeymoons because of its comfy tropical resorts and its magnificent architectures of houses widespread among the city. Surely, you will be marveled by the outstanding baroque architecture of its churches, museums and the artistic remains of old monuments and buildings of Roman cities.

Though the city had a history of repeated volcanic eruptions which had damaged Roman and Greek cities in the past, on the other hand, it had benefited its recent settlers with its black lava which were turned to be greatly useful to them. It does significantly, because its Baroque-styled buildings were amazingly made from the black lava stones of the volcano. Moreover, the remarkable remains of ancient Roman cities are also the result of these eruptions. These remnants of the Roman cities are now the city’s must-see marvels.

Winters in the city are only mild which is surely the best choice for honeymooners. The best time to visit the place is on the month of either September or October.

People

Some of the noted people from the city are the following:

· Ettore Messina, Italian basketball coach

· Pippo Baudo, Italian TV host

· Vincenzo Bellini, opera composer

· Giovanni Verga, writer of Verismo and novels about the common people of Sicily

Sister City

Catania, Italy is maintaining a sister city relationship with Phoenix, USA. The officials of two cities agreed to have cross-cultural understanding.

Sports and Entertainment

Catania is also the base of the football team Orrizonte Catania and the Calcio Catania. Meanwhile, Indie rock bands and indie pop music bloomed in early 90’s. These years were also the peak of independent music in Catania.

Transportation

If you feel like flying, you may take a flight with Catania Fontanarossa International Airport. But if you prefer to travel by train, Catania Centrale will serve you.

Media

Catania is the home of La Sicilia Newspaper and several other TV stations and free press magazines.

Oldest University

The city is also the home of University of Catania, the oldest university in Sicily.