Catania |
Catania (Italian: [kaˈtaːnja] ( Catania was destroyed by catastrophic earthquakes in 1169[1] and 1693, and by several volcanic eruptions from the neighbouring Mount Etna, the most violent of which was in 1669.[1] Catania was founded in the 8th century BC by Chalcidians.[1] In 1434, the first university in Sicily was founded in the city.[1] In the 14th century and into the Renaissance period, Catania was one of Italy's most important cultural, artistic and political centres.[1] The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy. Its old town, besides being one of the biggest examples of baroque architecture in Italy, is a World Heritage Site, protected by UNESCO. Catania has been a native or adoptive homeland of some of Italy's most famous artists and writers, including composers Vincenzo Bellini and Giovanni Pacini, and writers Giovanni Verga, Luigi Capuana, Federico De Roberto and Nino Martoglio. The city is the main industrial, logistical and commercial center of Sicily. It is the home of the Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, the largest in Southern Italy. Classical buildings[edit]The city has been buried by lava a total of seventeen times in recorded history, and in layers under the present day city are the Roman city that preceded it, and the Greek city before that. Many of the ancient monuments of the Roman city have been destroyed by the numerous seisms. Currently, different ancient remains can be seen and visited in the city-centre, as part of an archaeological park (Parco Archeologico Greco-Romano di Catania). The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi backs the Cavea of the Greek-Roman Theatre. The Odeon. Roman Amphitheatre. Ancient edifices include:
Roman thermal structures[edit]
Roman Thermal Baths of Santa Maria dell'Indirizzo. Baroque and historical churches[edit]San Placido Badìa di Sant'Agata San Francesco d'Assisi all'Immacolata Sant'Agata alla Fornace or San Biagio Santa Maria dell'Aiuto San Benedetto da Norcia San Francesco Borgia The Baroque city centre of Catania is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Other[edit]Castello Ursino
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