Day 01
Castello Ursino, Piazza del Duomo and San Nicolò
- The guided tour of Catania starts at Castello Ursino, a building commissioned by Emperor Frederick II of Swabia on the site of an old Norman fortress and built between 1239 and 1250. The castle has a square plan, with four sides around an inner courtyard. Its four round corner towers give it the strength of the great French castle models.
- Then, passing along Via Auteri in front of the ruins of the Roman baths, you will reach Catania's fish market, the city's food market and beating heart.
- From the fish market, a staircase leads directly to Piazza del Duomo, with its numerous Baroque buildings and the emblem of Catania, the Elephant Fountain.
- Here, you will visit the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, built in 1090 above the Roman Baths of Achille, on the very site of Saint Agatha's martyrdom in 251. After the earthquake of 1693, it was completely rebuilt.
- Inside, you can see the tomb of the famous composer Vincenzo Bellini and those of many Aragonese kings.
- After visiting the cathedral, you will continue toward the Bellini Theater, one of the most famous theaters in Italy, built in neo-Renaissance style and inaugurated in 1890.
- After a short walk, you will pass the Roman Theater, and continuing along Via Vittorio Emanuele, the tour will end at the Benedictine Monastery and the Church of San Nicolò l'Arena.
