Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Emanuele II 266; theatre & odeon €3;
9am-1pm & 2.30-6pm Mon-Sat, 9am-1.30pm Sun)
.
Castello Ursino
Catania's foreboding castle, the 13th-century Castello Ursino, once guarded the city from
atop a seafront cliff. However, the 1693 earthquake changed the landscape and the whole
area to the south was reclaimed by the lava, leaving the castle completely landlocked. The
Svevia; 9am-1pm & 3-7pm Mon-Sat, 8.30am-1.30pm Sun)
and its valuable archaeological collection.
Put together by Catania's most important aristocratic family, the Biscaris, the collection
features some colossal classical sculpture, as well as a number of Greek vases and fine
mosaics.
CASTLE
Le Ciminiere
( 095 734 99 11)
Catania's answer to London's Tate Modern, Le Ciminiere is a modern
museum complex housed in a converted sulphur refinery. There are two museums and two
permanent exhibitions, one dedicated to old radios and the other displaying a fascinating
collection of historic maps, as well as a cafe-restaurant and performance spaces.
trates the history of the WWII Allied landings in Sicily. The other museum, the
Museo del
film industry. Check with the municipal tourist office for details of temporary exhibitions.
MUSEUM
HAVE A SELTZ
Heaven on a hot day, or at any other time for that matter, is a €1
seltz
from one of the kiosks on Via Dusmet down
by La Pescheria (
Click here
). A
seltz
is a nonalcoholic mix of fizzy water (on draft at the kiosks), freshly
squeezed lemon juice and natural fruit syrup. There are various flavours but the
seltz mandarino
(with mandarin
orange) is our favourite.
Festivals & Events
