Catania on bike

It’s the main square in Catania; via Etnea, Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Garibaldi, the three main roads of the old town, cross in this place. It is surrounded by many monuments and in its centre is placed the famous “Elephant’s fontain”, built by Gianbattista Vaccarini.

To admire the square and its monuments, sit at one of the historic bar where you can taste the local cuisine.

It’s located not far from Piazza Duomo, along the via Etnea, Piazza Università takes its name from the Siculorum Gymnasium also known as Palazzo Università. The characteristic of this square are the four bronze lamps positioned at its four corners depicting characters of folk tales from Catania.

To spend a pleasant night out, in summer, sit at one of the tables in Piazza Università. Enjoy it!

Piazza Stesicoro takes its name from the Greek poet Stesichorus. It is crossed and divided in two parts by the main street, via Etnea. The two sides of the square have different architectural styles: on East stands the monument dedicated to Vincenzo Bellini, on the other side the roman amphitheatre.

The Bellini’s Garden is better known as Bellini’s Villa, it belonged to the Biscari’s family, who gave it to citizenship in 1854. It’s in the heart of Catania and you can come in from several sides, but the main entrance is located along the famous via Etnea.

Villa Bellini is the ideal place where to take a relaxing walk with your family.

San Giovanni Li Cuti is the small Catania’ seaside district where is the most typical beach in the city. It’s an integral part of the town, the features that makes it a unique place are the black volcanic sand and rocks. The ‘urban’ beach choosen in summer by people of Catania.

In summer or winter, it is the ideal place where to take a rest away from the city's mess.

Le Ciminiere were the chimneys to disperse the fumes from Sulphur factories placed in East area near to Catania Central station. Around the remains of the nineteenth-century industrial complex, it was built a multi-purpose center for trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses.

To be visited the permanent exhibitions: Museum of the Landing in Sicily and the Film Museum.

In the heart of the historic center of Catania, under the famous arches of the Navy, there is the Pacini garden. It is one of the two oldest gardens in the city, it was built at the end of 1800 and was incorporated by the railway viaduct in the thirties.

Uzeda gate connects the two parts of the old Clerks’ seminary, it was built in 1695 by the Duke of Camastra and was dedicated to the Viceroy Paceco Uzeda. It’s considered a symbol of the city and it is built in typical Catania baroque style: lava stone and white marble.