Located on the eastern coast of Sicily, the municipality of Mascali is a small town bathed by the sea located on the slopes of Mount Etna, in an ideal position for discovering the territory. The Catania airport is about 40 minutes away, and a few kilometers away is the renowned tourist resort of Taormina. In a short time it is also possible to reach Etna, the splendid Baroque city of Catania, and the millenary Syracuse.
Principali attrazioni
Etna
Famous all over the world for being the highest and most active volcano in Europe, Etna, thanks to its marvelous and uncontaminated nature, has been part of the prestigious UNESCO World’s Heritage List since 21 June 2013. the list of assets considered World Heritage.
A very ancient and very active volcano, in its history it has given rise to many famous eruptions. One of the most famous eruption occurred in historical times is that of 1669, which reaches Catania, surrounding the Ursino Castle. One of the most violent eruptions in historical times was that of 1928, which began on November 2 of that year and ended after 18 days with the almost total destruction of the city of Mascali, in the province of Catania.
In more recent times, the eruptions of 1997 certainly deserve mention, the one of 1998 that caused several damages to Biancavilla and caused copious spillage of ash that spilled over the municipalities of Nicolosi and Zafferana Etnea. Recently, the eruption of December 2018 caused serious damage to Zafferana Etnea and some fractions of the Acese.
But Etna is not only eruptions, fortunately, but also a beautiful landscape and a virtually unique environment, rich in biodiversity in flora and fauna, long protected thanks to the establishment of the Etna Park. A visit to Eastern Sicily can not be separated from a visit to Etna or to the Etnean countries. Thanks to its geographical position, Mount Etna majestically dominates Eastern Sicily, being just a few tens of kilometers from Catania, known as the “capital Etneo”.
On Etna it is possible to carry out a great variety of activities and excursions and there are numerous attractions to visit.
Etna Park: the first Sicilian park to be established, with its 59,000 hectares includes most of the volcano. The Etna park is full of woods, trails, landscapes and truly breathtaking landscapes. The park is divided into several areas, from the outermost to the most internal and protected, and is wonderful to visit at any time of the year.
Etna cableway: located near the famous Rifugio Sapienza, the Etna cableway allows you to reach up to 2500 meters in just 15 minutes. From here you can continue on foot with the help of local guides to discover the wildest areas of the volcano.
Vulcanological Museum of Etna: located in Nicolosi, just 400 meters from our structure, this interesting museum offers many rich contents concerning the eruptions of Etna from antiquity to the present day. The museum area is divided into two distinct sections and houses a rich photographic documentation, describing in detail the various phases of the eruptive activity, an area where projections are made, a splendid scale model of the volcano’s territory, beyond to numerous samples of lava products such as crystals and volcanic rocks.
Silvestri craters: located in the Municipality of Nicolosi, are located about 18 kilometers from our structure. These are two huge craters formed following the eruption of 1892. Today the craters are a wonderful attraction and you can walk around their edge and admire the wild and wild nature made up mostly of lava stone with the characteristic black color interrupted by occasionally from a sparse vegetation. From the craters you can also enjoy a truly spectacular view of the sea overlooking the Gulf of Catania.
The following attractions are also present in the Etna area:
- “Schiena dell’Asino” Path
- Rifugio Sapienza
- Etna Refuge 2500 meters
- EtnAdventure Adventure Park
- Valle del Bove
- Butterfly House
- Etnaland Water Park
- Summit Craters
- Cave of Frost
- The “Montagnola”
Taormina
Also known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”, set on a beautiful promontory overlooking the sea, Taormina is located in an enchanting position and in an area rich in beautiful landscapes as well as history, culture and archeology. It is no coincidence that it is certainly the most famous tourist resort in Sicily and one of the most important in Italy. A place therefore rich in charm and beauty, which over the centuries has attracted many visitors, including famous poets, writers and philosophers who have repeatedly celebrated its beauty.
The city is located on the ridge of the Peloritani Mountains, in the province of Messina, and enjoys a splendid view of Mount Etna, which lies to the south, and the Ionian Sea. Thanks to the mild and temperate climate of Sicily it is possible to appreciate it all year round. The territory has been home to human settlements since ancient times, as evidenced by the numerous vestiges of the Greco-Roman period such as the famous Ancient Theater. The city also hosts some beautiful beaches, much appreciated by tourists from all over the world, and in the famous Corso Umberto, a real living room of the city, there are many shops, as well as many places where you can taste the typical dishes of the Sicilian tradition. of all the world.
Among the main attractions we can mention:
Corso Umberto I: the main street of Taormina and the city’s living room: bordered to the north by Porta Messina and south by Porta Catania. It is a narrow and very characteristic street, bordered by numerous palaces of different architectural styles and overlooked by churches and squares. Besides being a famous shopping street, since it houses many shops, on the Corso Umberto there are also many restaurants, souvenir shops, shops and cafes.
The Ancient Theater: dating back to the III century a. C. is still perfectly preserved today, so as to host every year a rich concert season and events. Its location on a promontory offers a truly spectacular and unique view in the world.
Villa Comunale: originally a private park, it is composed of a series of beautiful English-style gardens and hosts a great variety of plants and flowers from all over the Mediterranean as well as numerous small buildings and a characteristic building called “The Beehives” ( the beehive). Its many paths lead through the lush gardens making this villa a true oasis of peace and relaxation.
Palazzo Corvaja: built from an ancient military tower of the Arab era, the building was enlarged several times in later periods until it assumed its current form. For a long time the residence of the noble family of the Corvaja, today the palace presents a fascinating synthesis of architectural styles ranging from Arabic to Gothic and Norman. Today it houses public offices and above all an interesting museum focusing on the Sicilian folk arts and traditions.
Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral of San Nicola: the cathedral and the cathedral are located in the center of the city, on the famous Corso Umberto. The Cathedral, built in 1400, has a very simple architecture and an austere stone façade, with a Latin cross interior with three naves and three apses. The interior houses columns of pink marble surmounted by capitals and numerous works. At the center of Piazza Duomo is the famous fountain with the symbol of the city: a crowned centaur.
Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano: an ancient palace dating back to 1300, it is considered one of the masterpieces of the Sicilian gothic style, with a rich influence of Arab and Norman elements. Today it hosts many works of art by Sicilian artists.
Isola Bella: this small island, rich in lush vegetation and attached to the mainland by a thin strip of land, has become one of the most famous and representative images of Taormina. It is located in the sea area of the city within a cove of the coast. Since 1998 it has become a nature reserve and has been declared well of significant historical and artistic interest.
Piazza IX Aprile: along with Piazza Duomo is certainly the most famous of Taormina, especially as it looks like a real terrace overlooking the sea from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the entire coast, starting from Etna that rises majestically to south. The Baroque church of San Giuseppe, dating back to the 17th century, overlooks the square. It too overlooks Corso Umberto and is certainly the center of the Taormian social life.
Catania
Known as the capital of Etna, Catania is a city with a thousand-year history, whose construction dates back to the period of Greek domination in Sicily. From the Greek-Roman period, here is the Roman Theater, which is located in the historic center, now part of the Greco-Roman Archaeological Park of Catania, which is still partially buried.
In addition to the incomparable view of Etna, the city of Catania, also a cause of the many destructions suffered over the centuries due to the eruptions, presents a splendid architecture in which dominates the Sicilian Baroque. From Piazza del Duomo, where the symbol of the city stands out: the stone elephant, called the Cathedral of Sant’Agata up to the Villa Bellini, passing through the famous Via Etnea, everywhere dominates the lava stone with its characteristic black color.
The city of Catania is therefore very rich in attractions and places of interest.
Among the main attractions of Catania we can mention:
Via Etnea: from Piazza Duomo, the main street, dedicated to its majesty the Etna, and for centuries the “living room” of the city. It is undoubtedly the important and characteristic street of Catania, very wide, majestic and entirely paved in lava stone. The Via Etnea is bounded by beautiful buildings and numerous churches. On the Via Etnea also Piazza Stesicoro, Villa Bellini, and numerous shops, bars, pastry shops and restaurants.
The Cathedral of Sant’Agata: built over the ancient Roman baths, was built in the exact place where the patron saint of Catania suffered her martyrdom in 251 d.c. The church has an architecture with three naves and inside is very similar to the Pantheon. In addition to housing the relics of the Saint, the Duomo houses several tombs of the royal family of Aragon and the tomb of Vincenzo Bellini, catanese doc and one of the most famous composer of the 800, died at the young age of 34 years.
Piazza del Duomo: the nerve center of the city, the square is surrounded by beautiful buildings of Baroque style that are Porta Uzeda, the Duomo, the Church of the Abbey of Sant’Agata and the Palazzo del Municipio. At the center of the square we find the symbolic icon of the city: the famous stone elephant called “U Liotru”.
Palazzo degli Elefanti: famous building overlooking Piazza Duomo, where there is the stone elephant (called “Liotru”) symbol of the city, Palazzo degli Elefanti houses the offices of the Municipality of Catania. It is a valuable construction that is the result of an admirable architectural synthesis between the Baroque and the Neoclassical.
University Square: one of the most beautiful pizza in the city, overlooked by two magnificent buildings that are Palazzo dell’Universita and Palazzo di San Giuliano, is located at the southern end of Via Etnea.
Massimo Bellini Theater: considered one of the most beautiful theaters in Italy, and considered one of the best in the world in terms of acoustics, it stands in the square of the same name. It was designed by the architect Andea Scala in neo-Renaissance style and can accommodate up to 1200 people. It is named after the homonymous celebrated composer Vincenzo Bellini.
Church of San Nicolò: it is part, together with the relative monastery, of one of the greatest ecclesiastical districts of Europe. The adjacent monastery now houses the Faculty of Letters of the University of Catania. You can admire the interiors where there is a sundial of 1841 and the large dome from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the city.
Roman Theater: part of the Greco-Roman archaeological complex of Catania, the theater is located in the city center, a short distance from Piazza del Duomo. Today it is still partially buried, because of the eruptions and destruction suffered by the city over the centuries, the ancient acropolis was dominated by buildings of more recent and Baroque style, but the ancient theater is still well visible.
Amphitheater: part of the archaeological complex of the Greco-Roman era, the amphitheater is located near the central Piazza Stesicoro, overlooking the Via Etnea. Behind the amphitheater you can see the façade of the Capuchin Church and on the opposite side you can see a monument dedicated to the illustrious composer Vincenzo Bellini.
Pescheria: one of the most lively and typical places of popular Catania. The fish market of Catania is certainly one of the liveliest and richest in all of Sicily. It is held every day in the area of the “Archi della Marina” which is located a short distance from Piazza Duomo and can be reached by crossing Porta Uzeda. Definitely a place not to be missed.
Via dei Crociferi: one of the most characteristic streets of the city, which crosses and cuts perpendicularly the equally famous Via di San Giuliano, called in the dialect “a cchianata di San Giuliano” (the Ascent of San Giuliano, which is precisely a uphill road), the Via dei Crociferi extends from the Faculty of Law, at Villa Cerami, to the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi. The road is bounded by numerous churches and palaces in the Baroque style. From Via dei Crociferi you can visit the Church of San Benedetto, the Church of San Giuliano and the Church of San Nicolò all’Arena, as well as the famous Benedictine Monastery.
Villa Bellini: considered the “green lung” of the city, Villa Bellini is the largest park in Catania. Located near the Via Etnea, it is a truly enchanting park made up of beautiful green areas rich in typical Mediterranean flora. Interesting is the Botanic clock, which welcomes visitors at their entrance, where the date is formed with flowers and is updated every morning with the current date. Adjacent to the Villa Bellini is the Botanical Garden of Catania, full of plants and flowers from all over the world.
Castello Ursino: the famous Castle rises on Piazza Federico II di Svevia and its construction was built by the famous Emperor. Made with a square-shaped architecture, like many other fortresses of the time, it consists of 4 corner towers and a large internal courtyard. Originally it was directly on the sea, but after the eruption of 1669 the lava, which in fact surrounded the castle, distanced the coast line by more than 300 meters, thus “removing it” from the sea. Inside there is the homonymous Civic Museum, where numerous and precious local finds and works of art are exhibited.
Museo del Sbarco: located on Piazzale Rocco Chinnici, overlooking Viale Africa, a short distance from the historic center and the Central Station, the Museo del Sbarco is an interesting reconstruction of the war events that in July 1943 brought the Allies to disembark in Sicily. The Museum presents a very faithful reconstruction of events thanks to numerous documentaries and audiovisuals, as well as hosting numerous artifacts such as uniforms, weapons and ammunition of both belligerents.
Siracusa
An ancient city with a thousand-year history, Syracuse has been famous since ancient times because of its strategic position that allows you to dominate the entire coast of Eastern Sicily. Thanks to its history and to its rich past: the city today can boast a rich and well-preserved artistic and cultural heritage, which make it one of the most famous and sought-after tourist destinations in Sicily, to be included in the UNESCO list where they are registered the sites and places considered World Heritage. In the city of Syracuse, in addition to the countless vestiges and architectural testimonies of the Greco-Roman period, the architecture in Sicilian Baroque style dominates. Also famous is the island of Ortigia, a small island connected to the mainland by two bridges and a true historical center of the city. Ortigia is the oldest part of the city and also the richest from the historical and architectural point of view.
Among the main places of interest in Syracuse and Ortigia we can mention:
Fonte Aretusa: it is a source of fresh water, a few meters from the sea, which is home to lush vegetation full of green papyrus plants, and has become one of the symbols of Ortigia and Syracuse over the centuries.
Latomia and Orecchi di Dionisio: the latomie were ancient stone quarries also used as prisons. In Syracuse there are several, but the most famous are certainly that called “of Paradise” and the Ear of Dionysius, cavity with a particular shape, similar to an ear, within which there is an echo effect that greatly amplifies the sounds.
Greek Theater: dating back to the 5th century BC, it is one of the oldest theaters in Sicily, and still hosts a rich concert season and numerous cultural and musical events. It is located in the center of the Archaeological Park of Neapolis and is one of the most visited attractions in the city.
Syracuse Cathedral: located on the homonymous square in the highest part of the island of Ortigia, Syracuse Cathedral was founded in ancient times as a Greek temple, dedicated to the Goddess Minerva, and later in the Christian era is rebuilt as a religious building and during the ‘700 takes on its current form, born from a fusion of Baroque and Rococo elements.
Castello di Maniace: built on the southern end of the island of Ortigia, the castle of Maniace dates back to 1200 and was built for military purposes, with the aim of creating an impregnable fortress.
Church of San Giovanni alle Catacombe: it is one of the oldest churches in the city and has an almost unique peculiarity since it does not have a roof. This feature, together with its particular location within the city in the area of the catacombs, make it a truly unique place.