Discover Catania’s secrets on a private walking tour

In front of the Elephants’ Palace, the Town Hall, on the south side of Piazza Duomo you can see the Amenano’s fountain, its name derives from the Amenano river that flows underground. It was built in 1837 in Carrara marble by Tito Angelini, the fountain represents figuratively the river as a young man who pours water from a cornucopia into a pod-shape calyx-tub, in the base of this tank two newts pour the water too into the canal where the Amenano river flows and it’s visible only in this stretch. People of Catania call this fountain “acqua o linzolu” because the water’s fountain pouring like a little waterfall into the river produces a striking and characteristic effect “sheet” and also because in the past the laundresses washed her clothes and sheets in this bath.

The Basilica della Collegiata (also known as Santa Maria dell'Elemosina) is a church in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. Finished in 1768, it is an example of Sicilian Baroque. The church was built in the early 18th century, after the earthquake of 1693 that had destroyed most of the city. The design of the church is attributed to Angelo Italia (1628–1700), who changed the orientation of the previous edifice destroyed by the earthquake, in order to have it facing the new via Uzeda (current Etnea Street) according to the rebuilding plan of the city. The façade, designed by the polish architecte Stefano Ittar (1724–1790), is one of the most notable examples of late Baroque in Catania.

Catania is the second-largest city in Sicily, after Palermo, and among the ten largest cities in Italy. Located on Sicily’s east coast, it faces the Ionian Sea. Catania today is the industrial, logistical, and commercial center of Sicily. Its airport, the Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, is the largest in Southern Italy. However, it is also noted for its history, culture, architecture, and gastronomy. The section of the city known as the “old town” features some of the most striking examples of baroque architecture in Italy, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Catania Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Agatha, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. It was the seat of the Bishops of Catania until 1859 when the diocese was elevated to an archdiocese, and since then has been the seat of the Archbishops of Catania.

San Benedetto is a church in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. Dedicated to St. Benedict of Nursia, it was built from April 1334, then it was destroyed by the 1693 Sicily earthquake; only 5 nuns survived the disaster. The church and the monastery were rebuilt between 1708 and 1763 and Giovanni Battista Vaccarini was one of the main architects. The church is part of a complex including also the Badia Maggiore and the Badia Minore, connected by a covered bridge over the road. The church was also damaged by bombing in World War II and later restored by the architect Armand Dillon. Its most famous feature is Angel's Staircase, a marble entrance stair decorated with statues of angels and surrounded by wrought iron railings. The entrance door, in wood, has panels with Stories of St. Benedict.

City Hall or Municipio is located now in what was Palazzo degli Elefanti. This palace was built in 1696, after the terrible earthquake. There are several balconies, and from one of them Mussolini spoke to people. There is a main courtyard and a second courtyard at the palace that is worth seeing. The building has facades from each of its parts. There is a grand staircase that leads to the main courtyard and 4 porticoes that were built much later at the end of the 18th century.

Elephant Fountain, Catania Elephant Fountain, Catania (must see) The Elephant Fountain is the symbol of Catania. It stands in the historical center of the city - Piazza Duomo or Cathedral Square. This Catanian monument is made in a "non-Sicilian" style. It looks more like an Asian statue as Catania had some relations with the East in the past. It was sculpted from volcanic stone in the 17th century and represents a mix of ancient Roman and baroque styles.

La Pescheria is the ancient fish market of the city of Catania and is included in the tourist route for the folklore content that you breathe by passing through the stalls of the fishmongers. Only by trying this experience can we realize how picturesque this market can be that can only be compared in the twin market of Palermo's Vucciria: the market is always crowded and the incessant vocation (la vuciata) of the sellers creates an Arabic suq background and you can breathe the typical atmosphere of a medina.

The Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena in Catania, Sicily, is one of the largest monasteries in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as a part of Val di Noto World Heritage Site). It is the second biggest Benedictine monastery in Europe (the biggest one is in Mafra) The monastery was founded in 1558 and today it hosts the Department of Humanities of the University of Catania. The monastery complex is located in the historical centre of the city of Catania, with the church of San Nicolò l'Arena. It shows architectonical integration of many styles through different centuries. Although the monastery was founded in the 16th century, it was modified by two natural disasters in the 17th century. In 1669 the 1669 Etna eruption surrounded the city of Catania, widening the coast for more than 1 km, and the monastery too. So the monastery was not destroyed by the lava but the area around was completely modified by a lava bench 12 meters high. In 1693 the earthquake of Val di Noto destroyed the entire east coast of Sicily and Catania. The monastery was terribly damaged and the only floor that survived was the basement.

You can see the Monument to Vincenzo Bellini in the historical Piazza Stesicoro. Vincenzo Bellini was a famous, world renowned Italian composer. This is a beautiful, tall monument that represents the statue of the composer on a high pedestal with figures of people below it.

The Odeon of Catania is one of the most significant monuments of ancient Catania. The Odeon exemplifies ancient Roman architecture in Catania. It was built as a semicircular construction that could accommodate 1500 spectators. This Odeon is similar to those funded in other Greek and Roman cities. The building material was mainly lava rock, but also bricks and marble. The orchestra - semicircular space between the auditorium and the stage, was and still is paved with marble. Some of the rooms in Odeon were restored in the sixties, but their function remains unclear until today.

The Teatro Massimo Bellini is an opera house in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. Named after the local-born composer Vincenzo Bellini, it was inaugurated on 31 May 1890 with a performance of the composer's masterwork, Norma. It seats 1,200.

The Amphitheatre of Catania is a Roman amphitheatre in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy, built in the Roman Imperial period, probably in the 2nd century AD, on the northern edge of the ancient city at the base of the Montevergine hill. Only a small section of the structure is now visible, below ground level, to the north of Piazza Stesicoro. This area is now the historic centre of the city, but was then on the outskirts of the ancient town and also occupied by the necropoleis of Catania. The structure is part of the Parco archeologico greco-romano di Catania.

Roman Theater of Catania is situated next to Odeon and is another example of ancient Roman architecture in Catania. It dates back to 300 B.C. It was built mainly from black lava stones and other materials that make it look like polychrome. Here you can see what is left from the original Theater. Roman buildings of the old Roman city became the foundations for other buildings of the city and today you can see Baroque palaces built upon part of the theater.

The University Palace of Catania is located close to Duomo Square. The University of Catania was founded in 1414. Many architects participated in its construction, among them the famous architect Giovan Battista. The palace is in excellent condition both on the exterior and the interior. The main facade is very beautiful. You will see a marble eagle, bells, and other decorations. It is illuminated by street lamps at night that makes it look particularly impressive.

Via Etnea is the main street in the historic center of Catania. It winds along the south-north route, has a straight line, and is about 2.8 kilometers long. It goes from Piazza del Duomo to Tondo Gioeni.