Catania, Italy

The port city of Catania is a picturesque Italian city located in the eastern part of the Italian island of Sicily. Impressive in the location of Catania is the fact that the city stands picturesquely at the foot of Mount Etna. Apart from being the second largest city in Sicily, Catania also plays the role of the administrative center of the province of Catania. Catania is part of the Val di Noto valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Catania is one of the main entrances to the island, as there is an airport near the city.
Catania was founded in the distant VIII century BC. This Italian city has a long history, marked by moments of rise and many destructions, which are caused mainly by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
Examining the architectural heritage of Catania, it is easy to see that its architecture was strongly influenced by the Spanish, Roman and Norman eras of rule. Baroque is generally the main style in Catania. From the colorful past of the city today are preserved many sites of cultural and historical value. Destroyed at least seven times by lava, the remains have been significantly reduced. However, there are still very interesting exhibits - Odeon, Greco-Roman theater, Roman forum, several Christian basilicas, the remains of a Roman aqueduct, the Catan amphitheater and the Greek Acropolis. All these monuments are concentrated under the Duomo.
The words are not enough to describe the jewel of the Italian city - the baroque center of Catania. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is artistically painted with an abundance of basilicas and churches, among which stands out one of the most famous - the Cathedral of St. Agatha, which dates from the XI century. Here is the place to tell about the symbol of the city - the fountain "u Liotru". This architectural jewel depicts a marble elephant with an Egyptian obelisk from the ancient city of Siena on its back. The creation is the work of Giovanni Battista Vaccarini, built in 1736. A must visit is the main church of the Duomo, which was built after an earthquake with the remains of destroyed Roman buildings.
Among the exhibits of the historical and architectural heritage of Catania is the Bellini Museum. It is housed in the house where the famous opera composer Vincenzo Bellini was born in the past. In addition to a museum, there is a theater in Catania named after the great composer - Teatro Massimo "Vincenzo Bellini". 
There are many and which of the more wonderful reasons to visit the beautiful city of Catania.
Mount Etna is one of them. A world-famous secret is that Catania is nestled at the foot of the largest active volcano in Europe - Mount Etna. Be sure that a trip to the volcano will become an unforgettable and exciting experience for those who are adventurous.
Catania's dynamic and vibrant nightlife is definitely one of the city's magical features. It is home to more than 1 million people who are just waiting for the sunset and indulging in unsuspected entertainment, turning Catania into a huge bar and stage under the stars that shone the summer night sky. Summer time is a boon for the city, because it is then that Catania hosts numerous concerts, festivals and performances under the stars. 

The markets in Catania are amazing. Every Sunday morning (excluding Sundays) there are two huge markets in Catania - the Via Etnea clothing and food market and the Piazza Duomo fish market. 
In Catania, the atmosphere is charged with the radiance of different, intertwined in the history of the city, cultures. Definitely every culture that passed through Catania - Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spaniards, Moors - has left something of itself.
Catania is blessed to have such an amazing combination of mountains and sea. There is nothing more beautiful than the Mediterranean coast with its amazing beaches, orange and lemon orchards, coniferous forests and vineyards on the hills. It would simply not be an exaggeration to say that it is as if pieces of the most beautiful places in the world have been gathered here. The Cyclops Riviera is a natural masterpiece that is part of this coast, and it looks as if huge rock fragments of giant mythical creatures have been thrown into the sea.
Catania is worth a visit, if only because of the Sicilian cuisine. Catania is also very proud of its local cuisine, which has interesting specialties - such as rice balls filled with cheese, meat and tomatoes called arancino. Pride is also pasta ala normana, which is a pasta with tomato sauce, ricotta, fresh basil and fried eggplant.