Catania

The city of Catania is the second largest in Sicily and is also the capital of the province of Catania and features a population of 306,000 which gives it the second highest density of population in Sicily. Catania's patron saint is Saint Agatha and the city is located on the eastern side of the Sicilian Island and was founded some time around 730 BC.

During the First Punic War, Catania was the first city in Sicily to submit to the Romans but continued to maintain a friendly relation with Rome and because of this friendship Catania becam a highly prosperous city under the Roman rule.

By 535, much like the remainder of Sicily, Catania fell under the Byzantine Empire rule and was considered one of the most important Sicilian cities but most of the city was destroyed in the 1169 earthquakes as well as the a 1693 lava flows from Mount Etna that ran right over the top of the city. The city of Catania has been buried by a recorded 7 lava flow from Mount Etna.

The city of Catania was also the birth-place of Charondas who was not only a philosopher but a legislator as well.

Although many of the city's ancient monuments have been destroyed over the years by a plethora of earthquakes those that exist are the Theater which was built in the 2nd century, the Amphitheater which was also built in the 2nd century and the Odeon which was built in the 3rd century.

Some of the most notable places to visit while in Catania are the Cathedral, the Saint Agatha's Abbey, the Sant'Agata la Vetere, the Sant'Agata alla Fornace, St. Francis which houses the remains of Eleanor of Sicily, St. Benedict, Basilica Collegiata which was built in the 18th century, the Biscari Palace, the Elephants Palace, the Reburdone Palace, the Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena, the Villa Cerami, the Castello Ursino which was built by Frederick II during the 13th century, the church of Santa Maria del Gesù which was built in the 16th century and the Porta Ferdinandea which was built in 1768.

Catania attempted to build a subway system during the 1990's through to the early 2000's, but these underground railways were never completed probably due to the river Amanano which runs under the city and it only visible at one point in its underground passage.

There are also several favorite parks in the city which include the Parco dell'Etna which is a park dedicated to the Mount Etna Volcano, the La Timpa which is a natural park, the Riserva naturale Cavagrande del Cassibile which is also a natural park, the Isola Bella a natural made park as well as the Isole Ciclopi which is a Marine Park.