Catania

Catania is one of the gems of Sicily, situated between Mount Etna and the Mediterranean Sea. Its charm, the cool sea breeze which reaches its streets and the unique architecture attracts thousands of tourists every year. Lava stone it's the main material used for many buildings. It's definitely one of the cities to visit when you're in Sicily.

Explore the historic center of Catania, where you'll find monuments and churches made with lava stone, and markets like one of the most evocative fish market perhaps, La Pescheria, near Piazza Duomo. It's a lively Sicilian market, full of colorful sights and sounds of fishermen selling their daily catch; the scents of the Mediterranean Sea will make this experience unforgettable.

Piazza Duomo, with its elephant statue, is the symbol of Catania. According to legend, it protects the city from the eruptions of Mount Etna. The fountain in the square is named after a magician and necromancer named Eliodoro. Legend says he rode on the back of the elephant when he left for Constantinople.
In Piazza Duomo, you can also visit the Palazzo degli Elefanti, the Palazzo dei Chierici, and the cathedral, which are all worth seeing.

The daily route through Catania continues along Via Etna, which is designed in a way that provides an excellent view of Mount Etna and also serves as a shopping and walking street. The Benedictine monastery, one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site, holds treasures such as the suspended garden and a Roman domus.