What to do and see in Catania, Sicily: The Best Architectural Buildings

February 7, 2022 Weston Hennigan

Catania has been a prize of many empires over the centuries, from Greeks to Romans to Arabs to Normans to Spaniards (to name a few). But its citizens have a more dangerous enemy right in their backyard—Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, which destroyed the city with earthquakes and lava flows in 1693. Look closely at the baroque buildings dating from after the eruption—you'll notice a creative use of lava.
Restaurants in Catania

1. Villa Rigoletto di Catania

Viale Mario Rapisardi 114, 95123 Catania, Sicily Italy +39 340 669 1861 http://www.italialiberty.it/scheda/villarigoletto/
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Villa Rigoletto di Catania

2. Basilica Catedrale Sant'Agata V.M. Catania

Via Vittorio Emanuele II 163, 95131 Catania, Sicily Italy +39 095 320044 [email protected] http://www.cattedralecatania.it
Excellent
54%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,857 reviews

Basilica Catedrale Sant'Agata V.M. Catania

Reviewed By ArmyRangeratMIT - Wayne, United States

The city of Catania is a wonderful afternoon visit, with parking quite easy right outside the piazza… Heading towards the cathedral you see the iconic statue in the middle of the piazza that quite often symbolizes all of Sicily… Plenty of pictures can be had here and you can walk in almost any direction to find shops and stores… And of course the cathedral looks beautiful in the afternoon sun whether or not you go inside or just enjoy the beauty! Pick a spot to have a bite to eat and enjoy your glass of wine and your good luck finding a lovely afternoon in Catania!

3. Palazzo Biscari

Via Museo Biscari 10, 95131 Catania, Sicily Italy +39 095 328 7201 [email protected] http://www.palazzobiscari.it
Excellent
67%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 459 reviews

Palazzo Biscari

The most important private palace in Catania and precious testimony of the Sicilian baroque. The frescoed halls, full of charm and elegance, represent a splendid setting for concerts, meetings, receptions, gala evenings, fashion shows.

Reviewed By Carolbike - White Salmon, United States

The owner is an excellent story teller about the original prince and his family, bringing the history of this well-maintained palazzo to life. It was very interesting.

4. Chiesa di San Nicolo All'Arena

Piazza Dante, 95124 Catania, Sicily Italy +39 095 715 9062
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 212 reviews

Chiesa di San Nicolo All'Arena

Reviewed By ludortravel - Iasi, Romania

It is an astonishing piece of architecture in terms of both size, architectural solutions and emotional impact. It includes also a memorial of the fallen soldiers and not only. The entrance is free and a paid guided tour is available.

5. Cappella Bonajuto

Via Bonajuto 9/13, 95100 Catania, Sicily Italy +39 328 923 7991
Excellent
64%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

Cappella Bonajuto

Cappella Bonajuto is one of the few tangible witnesses of a far away era (the Bizantine era), which however may be seen and explored, but mostly lived through the careful management of this corner of history, which has made all this possible. Once here you can choose to visit the chapel and its past, or choose it as an ideal location for your events or important occasions. The experience will take you back in a time that began at the beginning of the VI century A.D. "Cappella Bonajuto: Historical site. A Bizantine monument immersed in the heart of Sicilian Baroque" Walking on Via Vittorio Emanuele, entering its narrow and ancient streets, you'll find one of the strongest monuments of Medieval Catania: Cappella Bonajuto awaits you in all of its reborn splendor to be lived, just as it was in the past. The religious building, dating back to approximately the VI century is found in the 'Civita' neighborhood, and this is where the Chapel resisted the terrible earthquake of 1693. It is rich with repertories from the 400's and from medieval times. The paintings and decorations are very rare. Concerning its original location, the ground level of the building has dropped over two meters due to the earthquakes and lava flow. Salvatore, popularly known as Salvatorella, was integrated in the construction of the home residence of the Bonajuto family in the 4th century. In the 1930's the chapel was renovated by Paolo Orsi and Sebastiano Agati.

6. Palazzo Valle

Via Vittorio Emanuele II 102, 95131 Catania, Sicily Italy
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Palazzo Valle

7. Palazzo Centrale

Piazza Dell' Universita' 2, 95131 Catania, Sicily Italy https://www.unict.it/it/ateneo/luoghi/palazzo-centrale
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Palazzo Centrale

8. Palazzo Minoriti

Catania, Sicily Italy http://provincia.ct.it/la_provincia/istituzione/le_sedi/Palazzo_Minoriti.aspx
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 5 reviews

Palazzo Minoriti

9. Palazzo di Giustizia

Piazza Giovanni Verga 19, 95129 Catania, Sicily Italy
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2 reviews

Palazzo di Giustizia

10. Palazzo Gioeni

VIa Etnea, Catania, Sicily Italy
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3 reviews

Palazzo Gioeni

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