Having been decimated by the earthquake of 1693 Catania was comprehensively rebuilt, and today contains some of Sicily's most imaginative Baroque buildings.
From Piazza del Duomo, distinguished by a lava elephant (Catania's symbol) carrying an Egyptian obelisk, there is a dramatic vista to Mount Etna.
In 1736 the norman Duomo was given a new facade by Vaccarini, who also worked on the Municipio (finished 1741).
A vigorous plasticity of form is his hallmark-see the facade of Sant'Agata and the designs of Collegio Cutelli, probably built by a pupil around 1779, and Palazzo Valle.

To visit:
1. Palazzo Biscari;
2. Church of San Niccolò;
3. Museo Belliniano;
4. Teatro Romano;
5. Verga's House;
6. Church of Santo Carcere