When on vacation in Catania, one of the must-visit places is undoubtedly Catania Piazza Duomo, but few know what there is specifically to see and especially where to eat something truly good and characteristic.
Piazza del Duomo in Catania is the main square of the city, where three streets converge: the well-known Via Etnea, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Via Vittorio Emanuele II. On the eastern side of the square stands the majestic Duomo, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, celebrated annually on February 5th.
On the northern side of the square lies the Palazzo degli Elefanti, the City Hall of the city, while on the other side, we find the famous Amenano Fountain, very important for the people of Catania, into which coins are usually thrown (similar to the Trevi Fountain in Rome or the piglet in Florence). Next to the fountain is the Palazzo dei Chierici, connected to the Duomo by a passage running through Porta Uzeda. The terraces of the Seminary of the Clerics’ Palace and Porta Uzeda can be accessed through the Diocesan Museum of Catania, located in the Seminary of the Clerics adjacent to the Cathedral.
From the terraces, you can admire two splendid panoramas: one of Piazza del Duomo with the Elephant Fountain and Via Etnea, made even more special by Mount Etna in the background, and the other of the walls of Carlo V, the port, and all the arches of the Marina leading up to Castello Ursino.
Returning to the center of the square, we find what is the symbol of the city of Catania, “u Liotru”, a statue carved from lava stone depicting a graceful elephant, topped with an obelisk, placed exactly in the center of a marble fountain that has been renovated several times.
One thing not to miss in Catania is the Achilliane Baths, underground thermal structures dating back to the 4th-5th century, located about 4/5 meters below the main square. Access to the baths is through the Diocesan Museum of Catania: a corridor with a barrel vault carved between the Roman structures and the foundations of the cathedral itself, allowing you to journey into the bowels of the city, where the Amenano River flows.
But where to eat at Piazza Duomo?
Well, let’s say that every place here has its own charm, so compiling this list was quite challenging. The first restaurant we want to tell you about is Timo Bistrot, offering excellent quality ingredients that meet the flavors of their organic garden. Here, you must absolutely explore the wine list to enjoy a good glass in a decidedly evocative atmosphere.
Another place to eat is the Sikulè restaurant, specializing in the preparation of tasty and refined dishes of fresh fish. Here, the folkloric and welcoming atmosphere attracts an infinite number of tourists every day who want to enjoy a meal in total relaxation but still with good food. The location consists of two rooms: an indoor one where you can watch and choose the catch of the day and an outdoor one with a view of the majestic Duomo.
