Catania is a renowned port and Sicilyas second largest city. The city is overshadowed by the Etna Mount, the volcano that often has betrayed the trust of the local people, sending forth great flows of lava, on one occasion down into the town itself. Reminders of its presence is the dark colour of most of the monuments and buildings in town. Some of them have painted plaster to look like lava.
Even though much of the city to day is in decay, its church museums and art treasures, and Roman ruins make it a rewarding place to go.
It has also been a victim of earthquakes. In 1669 the worst eruption in Catanias history occurred when Etna buried much of the city under lava that literally ran through the streets. Catania had hardly recovered when a massive earthquake levelled much of the city in 1693.
It is among Italian hottest cities with a summer temperature that can exceed 40 degrees.
Marella Ferrera was born in Catania and is the most successful womens clothing designer to emerge from Sicily. She's known for fashions that makes women look like goddesses or lionesses.
The picturesque Pescheria, the historical market that spreads out around Piazza Pardo is a must to go. There are fresh fish stalls, and also dried fruit, bottles of extra virgin olive oil and red wine made on the foothills of Mount Etna, bags of dried pulses for tasty, local recipe soups and lots more too.
Catania is famous for its legendary night life. Legendary to the extent that it has the right to speak about its movida. One of the most popular meeting places is the Scalinata Alessi, a staircase in the centre of the university area of the city. Via Crociferi, is where there are lots of bars, pubs and clubs. Now there are about 120 of them, that are always crowded and lively. It is a university city that attracts students from all over the south of Italy, and they and the cities viveur inhabitants make Cataniaas night life so interesting that it seems natural to stay out until dawn.
Catania celebrates Sant Agata, the cities patron saint, each year with three days of festivities on the 3, 4 and 5 February. The festival ends with a fireworks display.
Casa di Verga is a memorial to Sicilys national poet, Giovanni Verga, who lived and wrote here for many years. Verga was a firebrand who wrote with poignancy about the plight of underpaid workers during the Industrial Revolution.
Even though much of the city to day is in decay, its church museums and art treasures, and Roman ruins make it a rewarding place to go.
It has also been a victim of earthquakes. In 1669 the worst eruption in Catanias history occurred when Etna buried much of the city under lava that literally ran through the streets. Catania had hardly recovered when a massive earthquake levelled much of the city in 1693.
It is among Italian hottest cities with a summer temperature that can exceed 40 degrees.
Marella Ferrera was born in Catania and is the most successful womens clothing designer to emerge from Sicily. She's known for fashions that makes women look like goddesses or lionesses.
The picturesque Pescheria, the historical market that spreads out around Piazza Pardo is a must to go. There are fresh fish stalls, and also dried fruit, bottles of extra virgin olive oil and red wine made on the foothills of Mount Etna, bags of dried pulses for tasty, local recipe soups and lots more too.
Catania is famous for its legendary night life. Legendary to the extent that it has the right to speak about its movida. One of the most popular meeting places is the Scalinata Alessi, a staircase in the centre of the university area of the city. Via Crociferi, is where there are lots of bars, pubs and clubs. Now there are about 120 of them, that are always crowded and lively. It is a university city that attracts students from all over the south of Italy, and they and the cities viveur inhabitants make Cataniaas night life so interesting that it seems natural to stay out until dawn.
Catania celebrates Sant Agata, the cities patron saint, each year with three days of festivities on the 3, 4 and 5 February. The festival ends with a fireworks display.
Casa di Verga is a memorial to Sicilys national poet, Giovanni Verga, who lived and wrote here for many years. Verga was a firebrand who wrote with poignancy about the plight of underpaid workers during the Industrial Revolution.
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