Car Hire Catania

Mini guide to Catania

Nestling in the shadow of Mount Etna, Catania is a bewitching place with a history that has been shaped by the eruptions from its imposing neighbour.

No stay is complete without a visit to the Piazza del Duomo which contains the cathedral, with its magnificent Baroque façade designed by the master architect, Vaccarini. Also in the square is the Fountain of the Elephant, the symbol of the town, which consists of an ancient black lava elephant bearing an Egyptian obelisk. Away from the square, the Roman designed Teatro Antico is worth a visit. Tourists should also stop at the church of San Agata alla Fornace, which contains the furnace where St Agatha, the city’s patron saint, was martyred by the Romans.

A lovely way to see the city’s charms is to walk down the Via Crociferi. This wonderful street containing examples of Baroque architecture begins in the Piazza San Francesco, where there is a church of the same name. Highlights include the church of San Benedetto, the Jesuit complex (now housing the Institute of Art) and a number of courtyards designed by the acclaimed Vaccarini.

Restaurant, serving Sicilian specialties like sun dried tomatoes, fresh olives and pizza abound, and there is also a bustling fish market in town. Via Etnea, a three-kilometre long thoroughfare through the city, contains the city’s best boutiques and shops. For a real authentic Italian experience, why not see a production at Teatro Bellini, the opera house, said to have some of the best acoustics in the world.

Outside Catania you can wander the slopes of Mount Etna, which looms over the city, but perhaps a more interesting excursion is to take the three-hour ferry ride to the historic and beautiful island of Malta.

Catania is a 10-hour train ride from Rome, with four trains arriving daily. From Messina take the A18 motorway south. Flights from across Italy arrive at Aeroporto Fontanarossa, 7kms to the south. Major links are via Palermo, Naples, and Rome.