Nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, Catania City Centre lies at the heart of the historic Sicilian port. It centres around the Piazza del Duomo with its Baroque-style cathedral and is dotted with museums dedicated to everything from religious treasures to contemporary art and the city’s wartime history.
Things to do in Catania City Centre
In the heart of Catania City Centre is the Cattedrale di Sant’Agata, a beautiful Baroque landmark fronted by three levels of Corinthian columns. Step inside to explore its frescoed interior, which houses a late-16th choir crafted by Scipione di Guido and the tomb of the Sicilian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini. Religious furniture and artefacts are showcased at the adjacent Museo Diocesano Catania.
The Cattedrale di Sant’Agata overlooks Piazza del Duomo with its iconic Fontana dell’Elefante and lies alongside the 18th-century Chiesa della Badia di Sant’Agata. Constructed on the grounds of a Benedictine abbey destroyed during the 1693 earthquake, the church offers magnificent views towards Mount Etna from the base of its dome.
Art enthusiasts should make a point of visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sicily, where you’ll find paintings, sculptures and photographic works by regional artists. Adjacent to the Catania Centrale railway station is the Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943, which tells the story of Allied landings on the island during World War II. In addition to historical artefacts, old photographs and maps, it features multimedia exhibits detailing how the island was liberated from Nazi occupation.
Getting around Catania City Centre
Catania–Fontanarossa Airport is a 15-minute drive from Catania City Centre and has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect to the Catania Centrale and Catania Europa railway stations while buses travel throughout the city. The attractions of Catania City Centre are easily accessed on foot.