Catania Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide by a Local

Ursino Castle, whose name is still uncertain, is located in the center of a large square named after the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Sicily, Frederick II of Swabia. Initially, the building stood very close to the sea, surrounded by a moat and protected by several defensive structures. The external wall was built with well-squared and regularly arranged lava stone ashlars, while the second, more internal, wall was much more irregular.

The “Pescheria” of Catania is the famous fish market of the city, located in the heart of the historic center, near Piazza del Duomo and the Fontana dell’Amenano. It is commonly called by the people of Catania “Piscarìa”, a term that comes from the Sicilian dialect.

Fontana dell’Amenano was created in 1867 by the Neapolitan sculptor Tito Angelini in Carrara marble. This fountain is dedicated to the Amenano, the underground river that flows under the city of Etna.

Piazza del Duomo is the beating heart of Catania, located in the historic center of the city. This charming square is home to some of the city’s most iconic monuments, including the majestic Cathedral of Sant’Agata, dedicated to the city’s patron saint.

Catania Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, is an important example of Baroque architecture. Built in 1090 on the remains of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter, the cathedral was later rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693, which destroyed much of the city.

Piazza Università takes its name from the Palazzo degli Studi, also known as Palazzo Università. One of the distinctive elements of this square are the four bronze lampposts placed at its corners, which represent figures from popular Catania legends: the young Gammazita, the sailor Cola Pesce with his underwater skills, the brothers Anfinomo and Anapia, and the legendary Catania paladin Uzeta.

Beneath Piazza Stesicoro lies an ancient Roman theatre, dating back to the 1st century BC. This precious archaeological site has been submerged over the centuries by several eruptions of Etna and, as you might imagine, seismic events.

We are not going to enter but you can visit it by yourself if you want!

Crociferi Street is one of the oldest and most evocative streets in Catania, located in the heart of the historic center. This road, renowned for its extraordinary beauty, is often chosen as a set for films, thanks to its cinematic charm.

The Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena in Catania has been a fundamental point of reference in the history of the city, especially in the eighteenth century, thanks to its grandeur, the richness of its rooms and the noble origins of the monks who lived there.