“I reborn from my ashes more beautiful” reads the inscription on Porta Ferdinandea, placed in Catania’s Porta Garibaldi. In no other Italian city could these words be more poignant. Consistently hit by lava flows and earthquakes throughout its history,

Catania never fails to rebuild and hold onto its character shaped by years gone by. Commencing at Piazza Duomo, you will then visit ‘a Piscaria, a vibrant local fish market. Via Etnea and the Baroque Basilica della Collegiata follow before seeing earlier features such as the Greek-Roman theater and the odeon. Finally, the ruins of a fascinating amphitheater will bring both Catania’s devastation and unwavering endurance into light.

This ancient city has a long history, originating in 8th c. BC as a Phoenician city, then passing into the hands of the Carthaginians before finally becoming a major Roman city.