Page 170 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

168  SICIL Y AREA B Y AREA

T Roman Theatre
Via Vittorio Emanuele 226. Tel 095-715
05 08. Open 9am–7pm daily. &
Built of limestone and lava on
the southern slope of the
acropolis, the theatre had a
diameter of 87 m (285 ft) and
could seat 7,000 people.
Although there was probably
a Greek theatre on this site
once, the present ruins are all
Roman. The theatre was badly
The lively Mercato della Pescheria (fish market) in Catania damaged in the 11th century,
when Roger I authorized the
( Pescheria Baroque San Francesco d’Assisi. removal of the marble facing
Situated at the beginning of In the interior are the so-called and limestone blocks for use
Via Garibaldi, the Fontana dell’ candelore, carved and gilded as building material for the
Amenano fountain is fed by wooden constructions which Cathedral. What remains of the
the waters of the underground symbolize the various artisans’ theatre today are the cavea, the
Amenano river, which also guilds in the city. Every February edge of the orchestra and part
forms a pool in the Roman the candelore are carried in of the backstage area of the
theatre. Sculpted in 1867, the procession as part of the theatre. Next to the theatre is
fountain is the focal point of impressive celebrations the small semicircular Odeion,
a colourful fish market, the honouring Sant’Agata, the made of lava and used mainly
Mercato della Pescheria, which city’s patron saint. Outside for competitions in music
occupies the nearby streets and the church is the Arco di San and rhetoric. It had a seating
small squares every morning. Benedetto, an arch connecting capacity of 1,500. The entrance
The smells and atmosphere of the fine Badia Grande abbey, to the Odeion is near the
the market are reminiscent of designed by Francesco top tiers of seats in the
North Africa and the Middle Battaglia, and the Badia Piccola, Roman theatre.
East. At the end of Via Garibaldi attributed to Giovanni Battista
is the monumental Porta Vaccarini. To the left is San + Castello Ursino
Garibaldi city gate, built of Benedetto, where the wooden Piazza Federico di Svevia. Tel 095-345
limestone and lava in 1768 to portal carries scenes of the 830. Open 9am–7pm Mon–Sat,
celebrate the wedding of life of St Benedict, and San 9am–1:30pm Sun.
Ferdinand IV of Sicily. Francesco Borgia, at the top This castle was built in 1239–50
of a double flight of steps by Riccardo da Lentini for
P Via Crociferi flanked by the former Jesuit Frederick II and is one of the few
This street is lined with lavishly College. Opposite stands San vestiges of medieval Catania.
decorated Baroque palazzi and Giuliano, a masterpiece of The Castello Ursino originally
churches. The road begins at Catanian Baroque architecture stood on a promontory over-
Piazza San Francesco, with the designed by Vaccarini. looking the sea and was part of

The ancient Roman theatre in Catania, now completely surrounded by buildings
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp204–5 and pp216–17

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