Catania is the capital of Catania Province and has a population of over 376,100. Its alt. is 7 m, located on the southeast slopes of Etna, area 180.88 sq. km, post-code 95100, tel. 095. Economy: agriculture (citrus fruit); commerce; industries include foodstuffs, stock breeding, building publishing, electricity and electronics, graphic arts, plastics, transport, and tourism.
According to Thucydides, Katane was founded after 729 BC by the Chalcidian settlers from Naxos. In 476 BC it was conquered by Heiron of Siracusa and the inhabitants were deported, only to return after 15 years. During the Punic Wars it was conquered by the Romans (263 BC). It declined during invasions by Barbarians and Byzantines. The Arab domination expanded agriculture and commerce. In 1071, after the Norman conquest, construction began on the Cathedral. The Aragonese rulers founded the first Sicilian university (Siculorum Gymnasium). Most of the city was destroyed the the eruption of 1669 and the earthquake of 1693. It was eventually rebuilt and spread widely. It became provincial capital in the 19th century.
Of interest is Castello Ursino, built by Frederick II in (1239-1250) and containing the Civic Museum. Also the Roman Forum and Amphitheater, the Town Hall which was started in 1695, Palazzo Biscari, Palazzo Pardo, Catania University. The Palazzo Gravina-Cruyllas now houses the Bellini Museum. The Teatro Massimo Bellini (18th cent) is still in use and still elegant.
This is the second largest city in Sicily, with an international airport, port on the Ionian Sea, and major train and major bus terminals. It is one of the centers of my travels in Sicily.
This is also the location of the Archives of the Diocese of Catania (Via Vittorio Emanuele, 159) and the Archivio di Stato of Catania Provincia (Via Vittorio Emanuele, 156).
The web site for the Provincial Archives (Archivio di Stato) is at http://www.archivi.beniculturali.it/ASCT. The archives is located at:
The Diocese Archives are located at:
Churches (Catania Diocese) include the following:
On February 1-5 is the Festa of Sant'Agata. On August 17 is the commemeration of Sant'Agata's relic in Piazza Duomo. On September 8 is the Festa of Maria Santissima Bambina with a parade to the sea at Borgo di Ognina. There is a Bellini Festival here in October. There are Christmas celebrations, concerts, and festivals here in December.
Links to learn more about Catania include:
My latest book on CD is titled Agrigento, Palermo and Catania Provinces (Italy) - A Reference for Researchers and is now available. With a file for each town (plus many other files), it relates the history of Sicily as reflected in the photos, records and festivals of its towns. It contains over 600 text and photo files and can be ordered at CD order.
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