|
Catania is Sicily's most interesting and intriguing city, dating back to Greek colonization in the 8th century BC, it lies at the base of the great volcano Mount Etna and is lapped by the crystal waters of the Ionian Sea.
An elegant and lively baroque city, it was re-built after the 1669 eruption and subsequent earthquake of 1693, almost entirely out of lava rock. It has the 2nd largest Roman Amphitheatre to the Colosseum (although only partly visible as covered by lava) and a 2nd Century AD Roman Theatre and Odeon. It has always been an important trading port and so inherited the elephant, carrying an Egyptian obelisk, as its emblem.
It is famed for its colourful fish market ('La Pescheria') situated at the bottom of our street and the cheapest and best food on the island. There is also a Sunday morning flea market for antique hunters. The city has a thriving live music and arts scene, a majestic theatre (www.teatromassimobellini.it), open-air cinemas and an unrivalled choice of bars, clubs and good restaurants. ('Etna Fest', a festival of music, dance and theatre runs throughout the summer and features reputable national and international acts, many performing under the stars).
As temperatures in summer rarely drop below 30 degrees, Catania is fortunate to benefit from a long stretch of golden sandy beach ('La Plaia' - with all facilities) and a black volcanic sandy cove with little fishing port ('Porto San Giovanni'), both easily accessible from the centre by foot. In winter the weather is equally idyllic, 10 degrees minimum with lots of sunshine and clear blue skies. However, it is also possible to ski down the slopes of the volcano towards the fantastic panorama of the coastline ahead.
The Christmas and New Year festivities are marked by spectacular firework displays, which continue through January and the Festival of St. Agata (from 3rd-5th February), 3 days of cult, devotion, folklore and tradition. This is Sicily's largest religious procession, which passes right below our balconies on the night of the 4th. Only to the 'Holy Week' in Seville and the 'Corpus Domini' ceremony in Peru are comparable, as far as popularity, to the festivities that for 5 centuries have been held in St. Agata's honour.
The patron saint of Catania, she was imprisoned after refusing the advances of an invading Roman tyrant, tortured by amputating her breasts and later burnt to death .In commemoration of this sufferance you can buy in the 'pasticceria's' small ricotta and icing sugar cup-cakes with a cherry on top, called St. Agata's titties ('i minni i St. Agata', in dialect). Her remains are transported in an ornate silver reliquary bust, decorated with priceless jewels and she wears the crown of Richard the 'Lionheart'.
NB: She also comes out on the 17th August to commemorate the transfer of her remains from Constantinople to Catania.
|
