Catania

Catania is a city on the east coast of Sicily. It was founded by Greeks as a colony in ancient times and nowadays it is the second-largest city in Sicily and the tenth in Italy.

The city is situated near the active volcano Mount Etna. This volcano is well known all over the Europe as one of the most active volcanoes. Frequent eruptions and earthquakes are natural for it. Summit and flank eruptions can occur close to populated areas and can bring terrible destructions. For example in 2002-2003 large eruption totally destroyed the tourist station Piano De Lagoon and part of the tourist station "Etna Sud" on the south flank. Due to the activity of volcano surrounding soils are very fertile. Large vines and fruit plantations are organized there.

The exact age of the city is unknown but the settlement was arranged in 7th century BC. Historical past of the city is rich on different events. As Catania was buried by lava at last 7 times and was attacked by numerous seisms a plenty of ancient constructions are in ruins. But some of them remained until nowadays. They are Greek-Roman theatre, the Odeon, the Catanian Amphitheatre, the Greek Acropolis of Mountvirgin's Hill, the Roman Aqueduct's Ruins, the Roman Forum in Piazza San Pantaleone and other.

Numerous buildings of Baroque style are under protection of UNESCO. For example Saint Agatha's Cathedral and Abbey, Saint Prison's Church and Saint Martin and others.