About Catania
Situated on the Gulf of Catania,
this town spreads tidily over the foot of the southern slopes
of Etna, as well as to the south on the low-lying fertile Catania
plain, where the modern industrial zone has been sited. The town
has an interesting heritage of monuments and works of art, though
few of the ancient buildings still retain their original forms:
Ursino Castle, built by Frederick II (13th century), with its
characteristic round towers, the Duomo (11th-12th century, rebuilt
in the 18th century, fine chapel of S. Agata), the church of
S. Maria del Gesù (15th century, Gothic, rebuilt), the
Greek theatre (rebuilt in Roman times) and the Odeon, the remains
of a Roman amphitheatre (2nd century BC.). Other interesting
buildings include the church of S. Nicolò (18th century)
with a rich interior, the Collegiate church (18th century), Palazzo
Biscari, a fine example of Baroque, the Fontana dell'Elefante
(1736) and many other 17th century churches and other buildings.
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