[2025 Catania Attraction] Travel Guide for Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena (Updated Jul)

Catania is the second largest city in Sicily, located at the foot of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. It has experienced ancient Greek, Roman and Arab rule and was rebuilt after the great earthquake in 1693. Black volcanic stone and white limestone interweave to create a unique black and white Baroque city. Must-see attractions 1. Mount Etna You can hike to the top or take a cable car + jeep to observe the crater and lava flow up close. It is recommended to sign up for a half-day tour. There are also vineyards and orchards around the volcano, suitable for wine tasting and gourmet food experiences. 2. Piazza del Duomo The landmark "Elephant Fountain" (a black rock elephant carrying an Egyptian obelisk) is said to suppress volcanoes. Catania Cathedral (which houses the relics of St. Agata), the city's patron saint. 3. Fish Market (La Pescheria) The most popular place in Sicily. Freshly-opened sea urchins, oysters, and live Sicilian red shrimp are processed directly in the restaurant next door. Affordable price! 4. Monastery of San Nicolo One of the largest monasteries in Europe, it is now part of the University of Catania. It combines Baroque and Renaissance styles and has gorgeous interior decoration. It's worth a visit for literary young people. Recommended by a small group of people, if you have more time, you can consider it Teatro Massimo Bellini: Sicily's most beautiful opera house, evening performances from €20. Underground Roman Theater (Anfiteatro Romano): hidden in a residential area, admission is charged. Food Guide Breakfast: Coffee + Brioche con granita (smoothie with sweet bread), the Sicilian way of eating, I recommend Caffè del Duomo. Meal: Trattoria da Zio Tanino: A family restaurant loved by locals, order the Pasta alla Norma (aubergine and tomato pasta). Scirocco: A fried seafood stall next to the fish market, 5€ for a serving of fried small fish with lemon. Dessert: Savia’s cannoli (freshly filled cannoli) are the best in town! This specialty dessert is actually influenced by Arabia. Transportation: Catania has an airport Airport to city center: AMT Alibus The city is easy to get around on foot, and if you’ve had enough fun and want to go to Taormina, you can get there in 1 hour by train! Tips Safety: The old town is safe, but avoid walking alone in remote alleys at night. Season: Spring and fall are the best, and the Feast of Sant’Agata in February is super lively! Volcano hiking: Wear non-slip shoes and a jacket as it is windy on the top of the mountain. Catania is like the fusion of Italian espresso and dessert - bitter (volcano) + sweet (cannoli), the more you taste it, the more addictive it becomes! And it’s super popular!

#FreeHotelStay The Monastery of San Nicolo (Il Monastero di S.Nicolo) is a large monastery located west of Catania's old town. It was founded by the Benedictine Church in the 16th century as a monastery attached to the Church of San Nicolo. The current building was built in the 18th century in late Sicilian Baroque style. It has been renovated many times, so you can see architectural styles from various eras in this one building. The monastery's buildings are made of lava, which is typical of Catania. Limestone is also used for the eye-catching window decorations. You need to make a reservation for a guided tour to see inside the monastery. Inside the monastery, there are many long corridors and galleries that run straight in a straight line, which is impressive. The basement of the monastery has some impressive mosaics from the ancient Roman era, and these remains are apparently currently used as part of the University of Catania. I think it's a good system for passing on history.

🏞️ Catania, a charming seaside city on the east coast of Sicily, is not only rich in historical sites but also offers mouth-watering seafood. 🎨 📈 Must-see attractions: Mount Etna - At an altitude of 3,323 meters, it is the highest and most active volcano in Europe. The lava flows and hot spring waterfalls at the top of the mountain are definitely worth the trip. 🏞️ Cathedral Square and St. Agatha's Cathedral - Iconic buildings in Catania, with the Elephant Fountain in the center of the square being a popular photo spot. 📸 Fish Market - Every morning, it is bustling with activity, with a wide variety of fresh seafood. 🍣 San Nicolò Benedictine Monastery - Ancient and solemn, it is a great place to learn about the local religious culture. 🌙 🍴 Must-try food: Seafood pasta - Made with the freshest local seafood, every bite is a taste of the sea. Catania balls (crispeddi) - Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sweet but not greasy, a must-try. Italian cappuccino - Sit in a street café and enjoy authentic Italian coffee culture. ☕️ 📅 Best time to visit: Spring and summer or autumn are the best times to visit, but Christmas and snow in winter also have their own charm. 🌞 Tips: The sun is strong in summer, so remember to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking and sightseeing. 🚶‍♂️ Transportation: You can fly to Fontanarossa Airport, take a train directly to Catania Train Station, and use buses for transportation within the city. 🏠 Accommodation recommendations: Choose a hotel in the city center or by the sea for easy sightseeing and sea views.

Italy 🇮🇹 Benedictine Abbey of San Nicolo This is the largest monastery in Europe and was built in the 13th century. However, it has now become the Humanities Museum of the University of Catania. Since it is used as a school district, it is not open to the public on holidays. If you want to visit the internal structure of the monastery, you can go there on weekdays. On the other side of the monastery is the main church area. The church is very large and you can appreciate it carefully here. Italy 🇮🇹 Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena This is the largest monastery in Europe, dating back to the 13th century. However, it now serves as the humanities faculty of the University of Catania. As it's used for academic purposes, it's not open to the public on holidays. If you wish to explore the monastery's interior structure, it's best to visit on regular weekdays. On the other side of the monastery is the main church area, where you can immerse yourself in the grandeur of the church's architecture.

Day 1️⃣ Catania Sicily's second largest city, located at the foot of 'Mount Etna' 📍Check-in spots in order Teatro Massimo Bellini ➙ Cathedral of Sant'Agata ➙ University Square ➙ Elephant Fountain ➙ Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena ● Teatro Massimo Bellini Pictures 2-5, a historic opera house and one of the most important in Italy. The exterior is very majestic, and the acoustics are excellent. Named after the composer Vincenzo Bellini 🎫 Ticket Price: Under 10 people €6.5; 10 to 35 people €4.5; over 35 people €1 ⏰ Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 09:30am to 12:30am; closed on Monday 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 30mins ● Cathedral of Sant'Agata Pictures 6-7, one of Catania's important sights, the cathedral is dedicated to Catania's patron saint, Saint Agatha 🎫 Ticket Price: Free, access to the church terrace costs €5 ⏰ Opening Hours: 07:30am to 12:30am, 16:00pm to 19:00pm 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 30mins ● University Square (Piazza Università) You can admire the unique mosaic patterns, and as night falls, the square is illuminated by surrounding candelabras, each telling a legendary story of Catania, creating a magical atmosphere 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 1h ● Elephant Fountain (Fontana dell'Elefante ('u Liotru)) Pictures 8-9, a landmark square, the Elephant Fountain offers free drinking water. It is said that the obelisk on top of the elephant has magical powers to control the eruptions of Mount Etna 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 1h ● Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena (Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena) Picture 10, the monastery was destroyed by a volcanic eruption, and the current university center is built on the ruins of the monastery, where you can visit the oldest parts (lava is still visible) 🎫 Ticket Price: Under 10 people €10, over 10 people €7.5 ⏰ Opening Hours: 10:00am to 12:00ampm, 14:00 to 17:00pm 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 1h30m