Duration about 2 hours
The visit begins in Piazza Duomo, where lava stone is one of the main materials of the post-earthquake reconstruction of 1693.
We’ll discover all the secrets about that magnificent Cathedral, also called “ecclesia munita”, the church-fortress. Entering inside to admire the melting-pot of styles that characterize this incredible building.
Walking through Catania historical center, across the areas touched by the 1669 lava flow. I’ll show you the power of the lava, and how it can influence the way to build a city or a monument.
I’ll lead you to a special site, underground, to watch a river flowing in a lava cave. Entering in stunning churches, full of history and legends. We’ll stand in front of a big medieval fortress, Ursino Castle, completely built by lava stone, and you’ll learn about Sicily history and traditions.
We’ll finish our visit in one of the older part of the city, a hill where everything started, the Monte Vergine hill. There, the Benedictines built their own huge Monastery. You’ll understand how small and powerless the human beings can be against mother nature’s majesty, but also how a population can recover again and again after the disaster.