Founded by the Siculi and colonised by the Greek Chalcidians people from Naxos in 729 BC, Catania was conquered by the Romans in AD 263 and eventually became the most prosperous city in Roman Sicily. Since the eighteenth century, Catania has been the second most important city of Sicily. It is defined by two facts, geography and nature, Etna (the volcano) and the Ionian Sea. Catania boasts an important culinary tradition owed to its thriving agriculture and is renowned for being the birth place of famous figures such as musician Vincenzo Bellini and writer Giovanni Verga.

See:

• Mount Etna – Located in the province of Catania, this is the tallest volcano in Europe and the second most active in the world. Inside is a regional natural park called The Etna Park.
• Piazza del Duomo – This is one of Catania’s most visited sights as it features the city’s symbol, u Liotru or the Fontana dell'Elefante, a much-photographed 18th century lava statue of an elephant.
• Palazzo Biscari - The Palazzo Biscari, where Prince Biscari once resided, is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Inside there are halls full of frescoes, galleries, archaeological findings, statues, marble and other artistic wonders.

Experience:

• Museums – Experience Emilio Greco’s Museum which contains 1500 graphic works by the Catania artist; Giovanni Verga's House Museum featuring many objects which belonged to the famous veristic writer; and the Bellini Civic Museum housing the private and artistic life of the famous composer Vincenzo Bellini.
• Churches and Palazzi – There are many historical and Baroque style churches located throughout Catania including the 12th century Duomo di Sant'Agata (Saint Agatha’s Cathedral) and Church of San Giuliano which is considered to be one of Catania’s most beautiful churches.
• Catania’s Street Markets – The markets in Catania are not located in narrow medieval streets but in open Baroque squares. The largest is in Piazza Carlo Alberto, bordered by picturesque churches and monasteries. The other, Pescheria, is part of a vast fish market, now expanded to sell just about everything.