Catania

Catania is a major Sicilian city on the Ionian Sea, set at the foot of Mount Etna, whose volcanic presence defines much of its landscape and identity. Its urban character is energetic and social, with a strong contrast between the coast, the dark tones of lava stone, and the baroque fabric of its historic centre.

Founded in antiquity through Greek colonization and later transformed under Roman rule, Catania carries traces of many cultural phases, from Byzantine and Arab to Norman, Aragonese and Spanish. Its modern appearance, however, is especially tied to disaster and reconstruction: the eruption of 1669 and the earthquake of 1693 led to a major rebuilding in the early 18th century, with wide streets, large spaces and strong structures planned for resilience.

This history gives Catania a distinctive identity among Sicilian cities: a coastal baroque city shaped by lava, rebuilding and the constant presence of Etna, once known to the ancients as Mongibello.