Cities we love: Catania on Sicily

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A few days in Catania –
Frutti di Mare and pasta with pistacchio

Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann

Photos: Annamaria Veszeli

Catania is also called the black city. The symbiosis with its local volcano, the mighty Etna, has shaped this city for over 2,700 years.

And continues to threaten them. Since the last major eruption in 1669, which buried two thirds of the city, the earth has rumbled again and again, destroying entire villages, vineyards and orange fields. Omnipresent in the lives of the Catanesi, Etna is both a blessing and a curse, as wonderful grapes, lemons and pistachios grow on the fertile foothills of the volcanic cone.

Catania as a city is a cultural and inspring place.

Influenced by Roman, Greek, Byzantine, Arab, Norman and Spanish conquerors, the city has long been known for its distinctive dialect original street food, medieval churches, faded Baroque buildings.

Recent years have seen remarkable developments not only in food.

We all love the composer Bellini and Palazzos, like Palazzo Biscari decorative and in contemporary style.

Never seen so many nice historical residences.

Restaurant and Terraces serves Sicilian food in high qualty everywhere.

The churches in Catania have glittering, golden Byzantine-style mosaics on the walls and ceiling, the Arab-Norman design style of the Sicilian Middle Ages is joyful

A trip to nearby Taormina and a Etna tour belongs on very bucketlist.

The churches contains richly carved statues and reliefs from the Baroque period.

We enjoyed the Pizzeria Nipo, a pizzeria and restaurant in Santa Teresa.

The pizzas with pistaccio and frutti di mare are delicious and Sicilian spaghetti al vongole is just perfect.

Dishes out contemporary seafood and pastas with Sicilians. I love it.

The Nipo has been high racking for its pizzas, which are served in a cozy, contemporary space.

Where to stay:

You will find nice appartments with roof tops and also “Leading hotel of the World” in Taormina, with a Heinz Beck resto.

Elegant with balconies overlooking the sea.

Surrounded by high walls and a salt-water swimming pool behind its imposing façade.

Getting around

Catania is a walkable city with multiple pedestrian streets.

The buses are useful for traveling along the city and Centrale train station and the neighborhoods.

Start with Catanias colosseum, most exciting and a cultural highlight

The private Bellini art museum in a grandiose residence, built mainly over the 18th and 19th centuries.

A sunset stroll, in Catania is a social ritual, as well as a must to eat pistaccio ice crea.

People sit on tables on a rooftop terrace in the evening.

In the background are the rooftops of a town, and farther in the distance are mountains.

A symphony of architectural styles a stony, sun-baked square Elephant square is relaxing.

During the day try A plate of fish with lemons.

A glass of white wine rests on the table.
Try Donnafugata wines.

Near the fish market, a friendly seafood haven occupies a courtyard filled with tables and chairs.

Thin salty slices of grilled sardines are balanced by joy.

Consider a Sunday stroll around the Piazza, especially if your souvenir list includes old chandeliers, cut-glass decanters and oil paintings of uncertain provenance.

Bella Sicily.

Ciao, we will come back.

Living in style.