Catania is the second largest city on the island of Sicily and is famous for its location at the foot of Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, which over the years has had a huge impact on the city, having caused untold damage via its eruptions, lava flows and ash deposits!! The town today has many great architectural sites which have survived this periodic devastation from Etna, and which are still well worth seeing. The present town however reflects a certain used look, being congested with traffic and being a major seaport, commercial, and manufacturing centre it is part of the larger industrial and commercial zone which runs between Catania and Sryacuse. It is considered by some that the present town has little to offer, with many run down buildings, busy waterfront and scruffy looking streets, although in the right light these can be quite photogenic and a complete contrast from many other well tended towns and villages!! It all depends on what you want to see and your interpretation!! If you have come to see the ancient monuments and splendid views of Mount Etna looming in the background, you will not be disappointed!!
The city has a population of approximately 340,000 inhabitants, and lies on the east coast of Sicily, between Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. It is one of the island’s ancient centres having been settled by the Greeks in the 8th century B.C. Home to many cultures over the years, the city contains numerous architectural remains of ancient times, including the ruins of the Greek acropolis and Roman theatres, forums, amphitheatres, aqueducts and thermal baths!! There is also the 11th century Cathedral of Saint Agatha, with St Agatha being commemorated every year in the St. Agatha’s Feast, a two day procession, said to be the second largest religious procession in the world!! There is also the spectacular 13th century Ursino Castle, in which the Municipal Museum can be found. The University of Catania, which was the first university established in Sicily in the 15th century and many churches, palaces and museums!! The historical nucleus of the city is located on Etnean Street where you can see splendid baroque palaces, and in the Piazza Carlo Amberto can be found the ‘fera o’luni’ market, where you can buy almost anything and have fun haggling for a good bargain!! A good place for those souvenirs!!
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Just for interest it is worth noting that many of the buildings in the city have been constructed from the grey volcanic rock that is in plentiful supply in the area, due of course to Mount Etna. This unfortunately adds a degree of drabness to the streets!!
It is also worth noting that the city has been buried a total of seven times during its recorded history, and these layers of ash and lava cover parts of the Greek and Roman cities that lay beneath the present buildings!! Historically the town was very important for the large plains made from the fertile, volcanic soils which of course are due to its proximity to Mount Etna. These agricultural areas produced large quantities of wheat in the days of the Roman Empire, which in turn made the city a busy and prosperous centre, becoming the most prosperous Roman city on the island of Sicily during that period!! The original large busy port was reduced in size due to lava flows.
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