Catania by LysDor

Catania Travel Guide: 262 reviews and 538 photos

<b><font color=maroon face=verdana>I visited Catania only for a couple of hours checking out its baroque monuments and shopping streets. The best way to do it is on foot as there are many one way streets in the city which make driving a bit hard for a first timer.

Nature, has had its influence on Catania, particularly through the volcano. There have been epidemics, wars, eruptions and earthquakes. The town has been destroyed on more than one occasion and rebuilt afterwards.

The 1693 earthquake destroyed the city causing thousands of deaths. The survivors quickly set about rebuilding the city in a way that took into account the risk of further seismic activity. The new streets were wide and straight with large piazzas at frequent intervals, so that in the event of another earthquake, there would be a refuge for the people to run to. Among the architects who set about reconstructing Catania, Giovan Battista Vaccarini, originally from Palermo, distinguished himself the most. He was responsible for a large number of baroque buildings. He designed palazzos for the nobility, churches, the facade of the Cathedral and the Town Hall and the Elephant fountain, symbol of Catania.

So let's go on a short trip around these majestic baroque buildings and churches!</b></font>

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Last visit to Catania: Mar 2001
Intro Written Jun 11, 2001
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Reviews (10)

The best way to get to Catania... - Catania

The best way to get to Catania... Transportation (2)

The best way to get to Catania by car is to go via the airport Fontanarossa road and leave the car outside the city!... more travel advice

Via Etnea - Main shopping... Favorites (8)

Via Etnea - Main shopping street A lot of high fashion boutiques and shoe shops. This coffee shop was on that same... more travel advice

Favorites (8)

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Piazza Universita and Statue... - Catania

Piazza Universita and Statue... Favorites (8)

Piazza Universita and Statue of Bellini Bellini was a famous Sisilian composer whose death has been investigated by a... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written May 30, 2001

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Comments (29)

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baronedivandastad Jun 11, 2005 at 9:39 AM

Can't believe you only stayed in Catania two hours and missed its fish restaurants... Anyway, great amount of info for such a short stay! See you in Finland or Sicily sometime. mac
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matcrazy1 Mar 31, 2005 at 1:10 PM

Great tips and pictures. Well, I must admit that driving there (4 times) was a little bit crazy for me. Hmm... I got lost 3 times and didn't stop to visit the city :-(.
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alfa338 Jul 6, 2003 at 12:22 PM

Really, really good photos !
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iandsmith Oct 11, 2002 at 2:05 PM

Good variety for a short trip.
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Lalique Aug 21, 2002 at 6:45 AM

Wow! Gr8 info! Will use it as my touring guide!!!!
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lovecell Jul 21, 2002 at 4:17 AM

Thanksssssssssssssssssssssss
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babazula Jun 13, 2002 at 3:46 AM

:>. really good work
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yen_2 May 5, 2002 at 1:47 AM

Well, what a 2 hours trip,u saw alot then,great!
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chrissyalex Mar 14, 2002 at 7:08 PM

You saw qutie a bit in a few hours!
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acemj Jan 30, 2002 at 6:27 AM

What a great 2 hours!