Located at the foot of the striking Mount Etna—whose frequent eruptions often lend the city a unique and dramatic charm—Catania faces the Ionian Sea and stands as one of Sicily’s most captivating cities. It is a splendid city of art and an undisputed example of Sicilian Baroque architecture, which earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list alongside the other towns of the Val di Noto.

Originally a Sicel settlement, Catania was re-founded as Katáne in 729 BC by Greek colonists from Chalcis. In the 5th century BC, it was conquered by the Syracusans, who renamed it Etna. Later, it came under Roman control in 263 BC, becoming a significant center of the Empire. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the city experienced successive dominations by the Ostrogoths, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, and Angevins—each leaving a lasting mark on the city’s culture and urban fabric.

Catania was profoundly shaped by two major disasters: the violent eruption of Mount Etna in 1669, which partly destroyed the city and altered its landscape, and the catastrophic earthquake of 1693, which devastated it almost entirely. From this destruction emerged a remarkable architectural rebirth: the city was rebuilt in the early 18th century in the prevailing Baroque style, resulting in one of the most impressive historic centers in southern Italy.

Strolling along Via Etnea, visitors are surrounded by lava stone buildings, elegant squares, and grand monuments such as the Cathedral of Saint Agatha, the Roman Theatre, Ursino Castle, and the Benedictine Monastery. Catania is also a vibrant and youthful city, thanks to one of Italy’s oldest universities and a thriving cultural and nightlife scene. With historic markets like La Pescheria, traditional cuisine, festivals, and a dynamic spirit, Catania masterfully blends history, art, nature, and modern vitality.