Catania
4
Details
Discover ancient architectural wonders
While hundreds of tourists flock to the major Italian cities up north, crowding into Rome’s Colosseum and Florence’s Duomo, you’ll be basking in the Sicilian sunshine enjoying a more peaceful form of historic immersion. Catania, an ancient port city on Sicily’s east coast, is steeped in cultural and architectural charm, from the colorful piazzas to Roman ruins and ornate cathedrals.
Your first stop should be the Piazza del Duomo, Catania’s central square and the site of buildings like the Palazzo degli Elefanti, the baroque Palazzo Biscari, and most notably, the impressive Cattedrale di Sant’Agata. To dive even deeper into the past, check out the 13th-century Ursino Castle, originally a royal castle of the Kingdom of Sicily, and more recently a residence for royal families and then as a jail. Among the most ancient landmarks in Catania, however, are the Teatro Romano and Odeon, two amphitheaters dating back to the time of the Roman emperors.
Catania isn’t solely defined by its man-made wonders, but also its natural beauties. The city sits right at the foot of the 11,000-foot active volcano, and several hiking trails wind to the top for those intrepid enough to brave the mountain. There’s also a cable car to the top if you just want to enjoy the views without a laborious hike.
Port Info
Schedule
Start Time
Sep 9 9:00AM CEST
to
End Time
Sep 9 6:00PM CEST