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 by ICBT
In the same general time period a huge lava flow destroyed half of the city, and in fact destroyed everything around the castle. It miracalously survived: the lava parted when it encountered the castle's huge moat and swept around either side. To appreciate how amazing this actually is, pause to consider that the castle was once on the COAST. Obviously no longer the case, as the lava extended the coast outward by some margin. [For extra credit there's a huge painting of this event in the cathedral.]
Not to be missed is the eagle perched atop the doorway, put there by (I think) one Roger who wanted to remind the populace that he was always watching them.
The castle itself houses the Museo Civico, which generally holds small art exhibits and houses a few bits of medieval brick-a-brac. Leave a Comment Directions: West of Piazza Duomo. Unfortunately it's a little hard to find as you have to wind through a patch of mazelike streets through not the greatest neighborhood. Check a tourist map for the most direct route.
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 Via Crociferi during the day by ICBT
Although Via Crociferi is parallel, it is much higher up than Via Etnea due to the ancient lava flow it's built upon. It's accessed from the extremely steep Via San Giuliano or by stairs.
Unfortunately it is rare to find one of the churches open to the public. I don't know why.
Connecting the Via to the streets below is a wide staircase that is lined with pubs. This is "Nevsky", so-called after the pub of the same name which attracts the most socialist oriented crowd in town. This is one of THE night spots in Catania, by the way, and Via Crociferi at night, isolated above the crowd, is where most of the zone's drug deals go down.
This mixture of the sacred and the profane has always fascinated me. Leave a Comment
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 by ICBT
Nearby: on the west side of the Piazza is Bellini's House and Museum, on the right the Immacolata Church that houses the candelora of St. Agata, to the north through an arch is Via Crociferi and its many baroque churches. Leave a Comment
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 by ICBT
I'm sorry I don't remember how good the English was on the many, many placards and whatnot - I was reading the Italian so I didn't pay attention. The guides are also very friendly and helpful and many speak some English.
Can you believe the American forces wore WOOL? In July in Sicily? Poor planning, guys. Leave a Comment Directions: It along the coast, visible from the piazza in front of the train station. Look for smokestacks and bricks combined with glass and steel.
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 The Entrance to the Park by ICBT
There is lots and lots of statuary in the park - most of it has been singularly vandalized: the noses have been broken off. I never found out if this has some particular meaning or whether it was just random meanness, but the statues themselves are still nice to wander through. The park is fairly clean and feels safe, as it is completely urban and not unmanageably large. It is, however, closed at night. Leave a Comment Directions: On the west side of Via Etnea right where it splits off into Via Caronda. About half way up - across the street from the main post office.
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 by ICBTLeave a Comment
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 by ICBT
The sign says: "This house, where Vincenzo Bellini was born, was declared a national monument on November 29th, 1923."
Don't forget to ask about the church across the street. You will hear the story of how Vincenzo would walk, unaccompanied, across the piazza every morning to practice the church's organ - when he was 3 years old.
The church itself houses several candelora for the St. Agata festival, and is itself worth a visit.
All things Bellini: Teatro Massimo Bellini, Bellini's house and Museum, Statue of Bellini, Piazza Teatro Massimo Bellini, Villa Bellini Leave a Comment Directions: At the southern end of Via Crociferi is Piazza Dusmet with a large bronze statue of the Cardinal. On the west side is a VERY unassuming entryway and in the corner of this entryway is the sign shown in the photo. There you are.
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Catania is the city where I learned to love the Baroque. To paraphrase a hammy line from Disney, I used to say: if it's Baroque, FIX IT! Not anymore. All those embellishments and flutings enriching those chill classical lines... oh yes.
Piazza Duomo is the heart of the city's 'Centro'. To the South, through the Porta Uzeda, is the port of Catania, to the north Via Etnea slopes up towards the volcano and the more urban part of town. All around you are Vaccarini's heavy black and grey lava-stone buildings, all rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 destroyed the city.
Things of interest here and nearby: The Duomo. The Elephant Statue, The 'Lenzuolo' Fountain, The Fish Market, Via Etnea, Porta Uzeda, Museo Diocesiano Catanese. Leave a Comment
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 by ICBT
It is often refered to as a 'Fortress Cathedral', as it played an integral part as watchtower and its southern wall is in fact a part of the city's ancient defensive wall.
It too was rebuilt by Vaccarini after the earthquake of 1693, as the integral centerpiece of the piazza, although remains of the Norman cathedral that preceded it are still visible on the interior (the pointed Norman arches of the transept).
Interesting things inside: the relics of St. Agatha, the Body of Cardinal Dusmet, the Tomb of Vincenzo Bellini.
Interesting things nearby: see Piazza Duomo. Leave a Comment
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 by ICBT
Bellini, seated on a throne. Below him, facing in each of the cardinal directions, are four figures, each representing one of his famous operas. We have Norma, a Puritan, la Sonnambula (the sleepwalker), and the Pirate. They are each standing on a case of seven steps (the seven steps of the musical scale), which have important themes from the operas carved into them.
All things Bellini: Leave a Comment
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