Things to do in Paterno' Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The Archaeological Museum is located inside the Norman Castle, symbol of the city, construction of the fourteenth century. In the Museum there are archaeological materials of Adrano, dating from the Neolithic age to the Middle Ages. In addition to these findings, the Museum also houses a rich library of historical collections - artistic and ethno-anthropological.

Built in the 11th century by Count Ruggero, it is one of the symbols of the city. What catches the eye is the Islamic style of the building, which is perceived in the main entrance and in the interior. It rises 33 meters long for 4 floors, the walls are 2.3-2.6 meters thick. The castle was abandoned after the 1600s earthquake that destroyed its interior. Over the centuries, it has been transformed having assumed several roles as the residence of noble families, as the seat of a prison then from 1958 to the present day and Museum.

The Camera Teatro Studio, active since 2002 in Catania on initiative of the Centro Teatrale Siciliano, focuses its work on the new theater and contemporary drama, as well as on the training of the public.

it is one of the most important cultural buildings of the town. It has three rooms: the Teatro Giovanni Verga (the main hall), the Teatro Angelo Musco and the Teatro Ambasciatori, offering the public a wide range of shows, in part self-produced.

It houses, in addition to the cabarets also the laboratory of laugh. A real school to become a real comic-comedian, a workshop for everyone who loves humor and irony, with an eye to clever satire.

Arch raised in 1768 to celebrate the marriage of Ferdinand I and Marie Caroline of Austria.

A beautiful palace, the city hall on the Piazza del Duomo.

The Roman aqueduct of Catania was the greatest work of piping water in Roman Sicily.

Also in the city center, in piazza S. Francis, this testimony of Roman culture, could accommodate 5,000 visitors. Nearby is the Odeon, a smaller theater that was, it seems, used for testing.

The Greek-Roman Archaeological Park of Catania, was established by the Sicilian Region, and deals with research, maintenance, enhancement and use of about a hundred archaeological sites and monuments, as well as the protection of several thousand finds.

It’ s possible to visit some amazing areas of the Benedictine cloistered Convent, the ruins of a roman domus recently found in its subsoil, the Church of Saint Benedict and its entrance: the stairs of the Angels. All this represents one of the most important baroque monumental complex. The tour includes the Macs – Museum of Contemporary Art of Sicily - located in the Convent ‘s little abbey.

In the Palazzo Gravina-Cruylas, the birthplace of Vincenzo Bellini, the five rooms are filled with memorabilia that trace the life of Bellini and his family, paintings, books, music sheets, musical instruments and the composer's death mask.

In the halls of Palazzo Bruca are exposed different toys for composition and origin, dating back to the '800 and the first half of the '900. There are several rooms dedicated to children's workshops, where performances and games are hosted.

Today's Palazzo dell'Università was built in 1696, by Giovan Battista Vaccarini, Francesco, Antonino Battaglia and many other architects of the time. The majesty of the structure occupies a large area. The building has well-groomed 18th-century architectural decorative elements. On the façade you can see the coat of arms of Aragon, while inside there are numerous frescoes, works by Giovan Battista Piparo. Since 1696, the building has been home to the University of Catania, from which it also took its name.

Imposing Aragonese castle of the '300 that today houses the Museo Civico.

Majestic baroque church, rebuilt in the '800. The bell tower was built a century later. Inside are the tombs of the kings of Aragon, the Chapel of St. Agatha and numerous works of art.

Represents the symbol of the city 'U Liotru'. The black elephant carries on its back a white obelisk. We find the animal in the arms of cities and universities.

The thermal baths are located under Piazza del Duomo, and date back to the fourth century. It is an underground spa of Roman origin. Inside, it preserves numerous architectural details such as inscriptions and tombstones, which tell the story and the period when it was discovered and put into operation. The structure suffered serious damage during the earthquake of the '600, the remaining parts were discovered over the years.

Could hold 15,000 spectators and was one of the largest theaters after the Colosseum. There were also real naval battles, filling the arena with water.

On Piazza del Duomo, opposite the Palace of the Elephants. In white Carrara marble, represent the river Amenano in the figure of the young boy pouring water. The water of the fountain ends up in the river that runs beneath the city.

Beautiful square and pedestrian promenade overlooking the cathedral, the palace of the Senate, Etnea Street, the fountain of the Elephant and the Amenano fountain.

'900 Beautiful theater with a beautiful room for three thousand seats and superb acoustics.

Palazzo Biscari is one of the most important private buildings in Catania. It represents a unique case, for the structure, the plant and the decorations. It was built at the request of the Paterno Castello family, princes of Biscari from the end of 600`. Inside the building, there is the “party hall”, in the Rococo style, decorated with mirrors and frescoes.

The church of Saint Anthony and Consolation is entirely frescoed with figures of Saints and scenes from the New Testament. The first construction of the building dates back to the period around the 11th and 12th century AD and was modified in the 18th century. Inside we can find several paintings and statues among which the most important are: the stoning of Saint Stephen Protomartyr and the statue of the Protomartyr. The church is one of the oldest in the area.

The Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Address is a construction of the fifteenth century. Outside the church there is a staircase, the stone portal on the side facade, worked with ornamental reliefs and the bell that was built in 1817. Instead, inside there are three naves enriched by refined decorations and works of high artistic value.

The fountain was built at the beginning of the 20th century, designed by Giulio Moschetti. The monument represents one of the most famous myths in the area, the rat of Proserpina, whose legend is linked to the history of the city.

The Church of San Michele was built on another church that already exists, although always dedicated to the Archangel of St. Michael. The treasure of the church is the original bell tower of 1753. After the 1693 earthquake from which it was destroyed, the building was rebuilt to a larger size.

The Cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate, built in the 18th century, is distinguished by a facade in limestone worked very finely. The interior of the Duomo is luxuriously decorated with frescoes by local artists.

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel was built as early as 1540; the earthquake of 1693 destroyed it and was then rebuilt in the 18th century. The church became a parish in 1922, inside it we find a nave with four side altars that, subsequently, became five. Currently we can admire the plaster statue of the Virgin.