Catania is one of the two big cities in Sicily. Palermo is the other one, nearly on the opposite side of the island. A lot of people prefer Palermo to Catania, but not me. I’ve put a few photos of Catania together to try to explain why.

There’s more to Catania than meets the eye.

Catania has a pretty city centre, popular with shoppers, there are some impressive churches and facades, although you don’t have to stray far to find more run down areas. It’s a big university town, so the night life is excellent. Bodies pack together in the streets outside the bars and not inside. It’s usually too hot and the Italians love to smoke, but there’s always lots of live music to draw in the crowds.

Food and drink is cheap and delicious in most places. The fish market in the mornings is great for a wander, to watch the sellers gesturing at each other and bartering with customers. And the city feels very lived in. It’s a very down-to-earth vibe.

The symbol of the city is this 2000 year old Elephant of unknown origin

Walk behind this fountain in the main square to find the daily markets

Via Giuseppe Garibaldi leading away from the centre, Piazza del Duomo

The recently discovered ruins of a Roman amphitheatre that sprawls under the living city

Catania – it’s not Palermo

Palermo is the larger and more affluent city on the island, with its buildings and city centre in better repair. But we’re still in Sicily – it’s no Florence. There are lots of attractive sights in the city and nearby, like the huge Cathedral at Monreale. The Catanians say the people from Palermo think they are something special, and like to think of themselves as having more sophisticated tastes. Maybe they do have more sophisticated tastes. One of my favourite things to do in Catania was to get a tasty roast chicken with chips from Mr Pollo for €4.50 and split it with someone! Failing that a horse steak in a bun, barbecued by one of the restaurants by the side of the road for only €3, was just the ticket on a night out. And when you order fish here, it will taste like fish – not cream, or white wine or garlic. Only the delicate taste of the fish, cooked *just* enough.

Just a side road in Catania that you might wander up to find your friend’s bar

Things you find on a side street in Catania

Things you find in other market squares of the city

Things you find lit up at night

In Catania it’s rare for people to put on airs, everyone is quite happy along this volcanic coast. With Mount Etna sitting in the background and the sun’s heat stinging the black rocks, people take things as they come. Preferably with ice. They like their food cooked simply, without too much fuss. If you are a fan of simple luxuries like I am, it’s hard not to like it here. The secret to the Sicilian lifestyle seems to be that there is no secret. Just relax, about everything. Take things as they come.

Enjoy a few more photos of Catania from the couple of months I spent there. I had already been WWOOFing in Sicily for two previous months, and then I found a great hostel-family that took me in at Ostello del Plebiscito. I’m writing about them next!

Peter

More photos of Catania

Balconies and façade of a building on Piazza del Universita

Cattedrale di Sant’Agata, also known as the Duomo

Another view of the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre, which is roughly the same size as the Colosseum in Rome

Spotted on a side street. A post on street art in Catania also coming up!

Curious characters hanging about in Catania’s central squares

How do Italians ask if you have a problem? ‘A, A, A!’ And occasionally an ‘O!’.

A statue outside the gardens of the Duomo

Another shot of the infamous Catanese elephant

Intriguing detail on the fountain. The earlier civilisation here may have valued hard work more! But I admit, it is too hot.

That’s all for now! Stand tall and keep an eye out for more. ;)

All photos are copyright © Peter Parkorr 2015

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