Travel: Catania, Sicily

Catania is on the Mid-Eastern side of the island of Sicily and is the 2nd largest city in Sicily.  In 1991 the population was over 330,000. Catania was founded in the lat 8th Century BC by Greek colonists from the Greek island of Naxos.  It was then conquered by Rome in 263 BC.  Being at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Catania had seen invaders from Byzantium, Arabia, the Normans Germans, Aragonese, and Bourbons.  

The city is built on lava left over from erruptions of Mt. Etna and was rebuilt in 1169 and 1693 due to earthquakes.  The last major volcanic erruption from Mt. Etna was in 1669, although it erupted again in 1992 but did not cause as much damage.  The city also suffered serious damage during World War II, but still contains the 11th Century Cathedral and 13th Century Ursino Castle built for Eperoro Frederick II.

Sicily's oldest university was founded in Catania in 1434, and today it is an important industrial center for the manufacture of chemicals and textiles.  

Sites of Interest to Visit While in Taormina
Spectacular views of Mt. Etna (the lava rosy red at times) with the sea below, all very romantic and a vacation hot-spot
Ancient Roman remains in Taormina are Roman
Ancient Greek buildings such as at the Greek-Roman theater and the Odeon Theater.
The Duomo and Palazzo

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