the history of catania

a short history

1693 represents a real milestone in the history of Catania, and Sicily in general. A terrible earthquake destroyed completely entire cities and towns, and strongly damaged cities like Catania. After this date the city had to be rebuilt, and it was done according to the late baroque style that feature very creative decorations made of stone on the facades of churches and private houses, with leaves, flowers, masks and monsters. What's particular in Catania is that, next to the usual white stone, the black stone from the Etna cooled down magma is used, is a stark black and white contrast.

The black stone from Etna is everywhere in the architecture of Catania, where smart craftmens have been able to use the result of the destructive power the volcano in something beautiful (a lot of the stone comes also from the 1669 eruption that occupied the western side of Catania until the sea). It's characteristics are: strong, very solid, but also easy to be shaped due to its porous nature.