Catania on the map of Italy is located in the eastern part of the island of Sicily, on the very coast of the Ionian Sea. It spreads out at the foot of the highest active volcano in Europe - Etna. Catania has a population of approximately 300 thousand people. The city is an important commercial and economic center of the country with a developed infrastructure and excellent conditions for tourists.
The ancient tribes of Siculi were the first to exploit the Ionian Sea coast. They began to settle here in XIII century BC. The city of Catania was founded in 729 BC by settlers from ancient Greece. Most of the surviving ancient architectural monuments date from the Roman Empire: the province was one of the cultural centers of the ancient Romans.
Catania has survived two turning points in its history - the volcanic eruptions of Etna in 1669 and 1693. Twice the city was razed to the ground by earthquakes and lava flows. But both times the province was rebuilt. Here you can often see the buildings of black volcanic stone - the only available material at the time. The new Catania is dominated by the Baroque style.
During World War II the city was also severely destroyed. Bombings and fires destroyed the municipality, the archives building, the main bank and residential quarters. But by 1960 Catania had risen again from the ashes and became one of the centers of industrial development in Sicily.
