The Cathedral of Catania
From the 360-degree views of The Roof terrace, on the roof of the Una Palace hotel in Catania, the dichotomy of the place is easily glimpsed. On the one hand the look faces the certainty of the sea , always faithful and reassuring. On the other there is an uncertainty, that of Etna, the largest volcano in Europe that from time to time is noted beyond its imposing presence. But the Sicilians know how to react to every "surprise" from their neighbor and have already shown that they are not intimidated. They live in a non-frantic hedonism. Italian know-how at its best.
The city, the second largest on the island and a World Heritage Site since 2002, It is known as the “Milan of the South” , but we must not forget that in the eastern part of Sicily they are somewhat particular: they are Ionian Mediterranean, due to the sea that bathes their coasts.
For centuries Etna wreaked havoc in Catania, although the city has been able to adapt its appearance to these setbacks and maintains part of its baroque style. The star is the cathedral located in the Piazza del Duomo, where another of its icons is also found, the Fountain of the Elephants . Aware of the dangerous consequences of the incendiary nature of Etna, in Catania they apply to "carpe diem" with parsimony . It's one of those places where napping is not a personal choice . It is a general measure. Hardly any shops stay open between one and four in the afternoon and even the streets doze.
Know how to live Italian at the foot of Etna
Activity is concentrated in the early hours of the day, with the gastronomic markets and in the terraces and wine houses at nightfall . In the morning, taking Via Garibaldi from Piazza del Duomo, the grocery stores that occupy the adjoining alleys come out with their food stalls. The fresh fish stands out, especially in Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto. Marine species probably never seen before and curiosities such as the spatola. It is a variant of swordfish (pesce sciabola) that is named and cooked differently from the rest of Italy. "It's like the cazzo, which we call minga here," explains the shopkeeper, genius and figure, in true Sicilian style. The walk through the market is the perfect opportunity to snack on oysters.
The sunset from The Roof is surprisingly calm. Your views over the rooftops from this seventh floor apartment on Via Etnea include the silent threat of the volcano, which dominates the panorama of the place. When the sky turns lava red, the image is to remember . In their letter they resort to the increasingly widespread formula of aperitivo: for ten euros you can have a cocktail accompanied by a buffet with the "must" of Italian gastronomy : pommodori secci, selection of cheeses and salamis.
the city of catania
From there you can see the nearby Villa Bellini , a curious park between Via Sant Euplio and Via San Tomaselli. And in the alleys that cross via Etna wineries proliferate . Typical of the area is to eat arancino, a ball of rice battered, fried and stuffed with chicken, cheese or spinach. Crespella are soft donuts filled with anchovies. For the most curious, the Spritz is a local soft drink that is also trying to become popular in this area of the country. It consists of adding syrup with the most varied flavors to the sparkling water, such as red tangerine. It can hardly compete with a good wine or beer.
For those who are not satisfied with admiring the volcano from afar, there are daily excursions and for those who opt for the beach, there are also conflicting options. At the eastern end of Corso Italia, where some of the big fashion boutiques are scattered, you come to Piazza Europa. In a few minutes on foot you can reach San Giovanni, a bustling public beach of black lava, with as many giant rocks as fluorescent speedos . More conventional, due to the sand and bathing suits, are the beaches that surround the lighthouse located in the southern part of the coast.
Catania markets are a must