{"id":68110,"date":"2015-09-25T11:44:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-25T10:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sicile-sicilia.net\/?p=68110"},"modified":"2026-10-13T09:09:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T08:09:25","slug":"catania-walking-tour-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sicile-sicilia.net\/en\/catania-walking-tour-itinerary","title":{"rendered":"Catania Walking Tour Itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"

The interesting historic centre of Catania is marked by Baroque architecture<\/strong>, part of which has been inscribed, along with seven other towns of the Val di Noto<\/a>, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Catania preserves traces of most of the cultures that succeeded one another there, including the Ostrogoths, the Arabs, the Normans, the Swabians, the Angevins, the Spanish, the Piedmontese and the Bourbons. The city, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, presents a harmonious urban ensemble, pleasant to explore on foot.<\/p>\n

1- Around Piazza Duomo<\/h2>\n

The route begins at Piazza del Duomo<\/strong><\/a>, the monumental centre of the city. The square is surrounded by Baroque palaces, among them the Palazzo degli Elefanti<\/strong>, which now houses the town hall, and the Palazzo dei Chierici, which houses the Diocesan Museum<\/strong><\/a>. This museum provides access to the underground Amenano river and the vast ancient Achillian baths dating from Roman times.
\nIn the centre of the square stands the famous Fountain of Vaccarini<\/strong>, topped by an Egyptian obelisk supported by an elephant carved from volcanic stone in Roman times – now the symbol of Catania, called \u201cLiotru\u201d by the locals. Nearby, the Amenano fountain<\/strong>, in white marble, recalls this underground river that once fed a lake to the west of the city, covered by the lava flow from the 1669 eruption of Etna.<\/p>\n

From Piazza del Duomo, an adjacent street quickly leads to the traditional Pescheria<\/strong> market, one of the liveliest places in Catania. This fish market, particularly lively in the morning, also offers meat, fruit, vegetables and street food, in a popular and noisy atmosphere characteristic of Sicily.<\/p>\n

On the north side of Piazza del Duomo stands the Church of the Badia di Sant\u2019Agata<\/strong><\/a>, recognisable by its panoramic dome, from which there is a view over Piazza del Duomo and Via Etnea.<\/p>\n

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2- Loop to the east of the Piazza<\/h2>\n

A little further east is the Baroque Palazzo Biscari<\/strong><\/a>, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, renowned for the richness of its interior decorations, its stuccoes and its frescoes. Opposite stands the Palazzo Platamone<\/strong><\/a>, or Palazzo della Cultura, now a cultural centre and exhibition venue. Then you reach the Teatro Bellini<\/strong><\/a>, an elegant 19th-century building dedicated to the composer born in the city, Vincenzo Bellini. It hosts operas and concerts throughout the year. The walk continues towards Via Etnea, passing through the elegant University Square<\/strong> and the Baroque Collegiate Church<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

3- Via Etnea<\/h2>\n

Heading north from the square, Via Etnea<\/strong><\/a> stretches in a straight line towards the volcano Etna. It is the main artery of the city, lined with Baroque palaces and churches with facades of black volcanic stone and light stone, as well as numerous shops. Continuing along Via Etnea, you reach Piazza Stesicoro<\/strong>, surrounded by churches and palaces, where the imposing remains of the Roman amphitheatre<\/strong> from the 2nd century AD stand. A little further up, you can reach the Villa Bellini park<\/strong>, offering a pleasant green space and a view over the city and Etna. The descent towards Piazza Stesicoro then allows you to take Via Crociferi.<\/p>\n