The 17th century was a destructive one, whereas the 18th was a rebirth. The onset of an eruption, then an earthquake brought Catania to its knees. It resurrected from this devastation and triumphed with the beauty of its Baroque architecture which can still be admired today.
The Cathedral is a magnificent example. Looking out onto the square carrying its name, which after the earthquake was designed to leave ample space between buildings in the event of destructive earthquakes. It is dedicated to the city’s Patron, Santa Agata, whose statue surmounts the main façade designed by Giovan Battista Vaccarini. It was reconstructed with the use of material recovered from the buildings of the Roman era, such as the marble columns that decorate its courtyards. Besides the church, the splendid Piazza Duomo is surrounded by the Palazzo Senatorio and elegant noble buildings arranged around the Fontana dell’Elefante, the symbol of the city. The monument, the work of Vaccarini, is a kind of historical stratification: the base (the elephant) recalls Carthaginian civilization, the obelisk recalls Egyptian civilization, and the cross, palms and globe refer to Christianity.
The artist also designed the Badìa di Sant'Agata church, very striking for the richness of its décor on the façade, with the perspective of the portal set further back with respect to the two lateral bodies. Piazza dell’Università is dominated by the grand façade of the University, the construction of which was authorized by Alfonso V of Aragon and rebuilt after the earthquake with a design by great architects of that era. Vaccarini built two floors of the internal courtyard, the colonnade and the dual-coloured flooring.
The Collegiata or Regia Chapel is another magnificent example of the architectonic splendour built during the rebuilding century, with the interior decorated by Giuseppe Sciuti. Colossal even if unfinished, is the Benedictine Monastery of S. Nicolò l’Arena with interventions by Battaglia, Vaccarini and Amato.
The Ursino Castle which Frederic II ordered to be built, survived the catastrophic events of the 17th century. It was originally located on the coastal stretch but the eruption modified its structure and today, the castle is set further back compared to its initial position.
The entire Noto Valley was reconstructed in the 18th century and today is a World Heritage Site precisely because of its stylistic features, impressed after the terrible earthquake which became the theme of its rebirth.
One of the eight cities of the valley, Caltagirone is famous for its ancient ceramic art which supplied the décor of many churches and buildings in the centre. The highest expression of its baroque soul is Santa Maria del Monte with an impressive stairway decorated with polychromatic majolica.
Militello in Val di Catania is also part of the UNESCO network. Its historical centre recalls in its structure and style, the features of the reconstruction period.
The Etna, one of the biggest active volcanoes in Europe lies north of Catania. This mountain lives, breathes and transforms itself and each dawn is awakened by red fiery flowing lava, deposited in the open spaces or overlapped with ancient flows, changing the mountain’s profile each time. The landscape changes greatly as you go higher towards the principal crater. There are pinewoods divided into sectors by fascinating fuming black lava and attractive craters. There are fruit orchards, orange and lemon groves, oaks and majestic chestnut trees, luxuriant vineyards and expanses of beach trees. All contribute to making the mountain a varied range of natural ambiences of incomparable beauty.
Nothing survives up on the peaks, only the lavic desert, a widespread blackness with the awesome crater in its centre. You can set on a journey from the mountains to the sea. To be able to enjoy its beauty, you need to trace the entire route. The panorama changes before your eyes, but the enchantment remains. Do not miss the Riviera dei Ciclopi with its typical stacks emerging from the sea.