info@anfitheatro.com
+39 3465990402
RIGHT NEXT
The ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE
In the II and III century d. C. it was built in Catania, probably in honor of a visit from the emperor, an amphitheatre of imposing dimensions.
There were shows of various kinds: the ludi gladiatorî (munus gladiatorium), in which the protagonists were the real celebrities; the combats between men and wild beasts (venationes), exotic animals never seen before and specially brought in from the provinces africa; naval battles (naumachiae), realized thanks to complex hydraulic mechanisms that allowed them to flood the arena.
Over the centuries, the monument has changed the features and also the spelling of the name. The term "anfitheatro", is typical of the Eighteenth century, the period of construction of the historic Building that houses the Relais Anfitheatro.
In that time many buildings aristocraci of catania, including the Palace Ardizzoni, were built on the solid remains of the amphitheatre, which had resisted to the violent earthquakes, and have become one.
Graphic reconstruction of the early Twentieth century of the roman amphitheatre of Catania.
(from Federico De Roberto, Catania, 1907)
Circled in red, the location of the Relais Anfitheatro.
The monument is visible today from Piazza Stesicoro and Vico Amphitheatre, which faces the terrace of the Relais Anfitheatro and one of the suites.
The rest of the amphitheatre is hidden almost entirely under the modern buildings and below street level, where is the tut now perfectly preserved corridor running along the wall of the podium.
The roman amphitheater of Catania is back to its original splendor thanks to the 3D reconstruction produced from the IBAM CNR.
A FEW STEPS
THE VIA CROCIFERI AND VIA ETNEA
Via Crociferi, one of the oldest streets of the city, is the symbol of Baroque in catania.
Its beauty is such as to be a perfect movie set open to the sky: “The bell'antonio” Bolognini, “History of a blackcap” Zeffirelli, “The Viceroy” of Faenza, and many more were filmed right there.
Walking is incontrereranno some of the most beautiful eighteenth-century churches of the city: the Church of San Benedetto connected to the homonymous monastery; the Church of San Francesco Borgia, with two large staircases in stone. Continuing we arrive at the wonderful College of the Jesuits, the cloister, the arcades and the columns in lava stone.
Just opposite is the Church of San Giuliano, which is attributed to the work of the architect Vaccarini.
A little further is the Convent of the Crociferi, with the annexed Church of San Camillo, famous for the Madonna with the Child on a table, kept inside, perhaps to the byzantine period.
In the bottom of the street is located Villa Cerami, one of the most prestigious palaces of Catania Eighteenth century, located right above the Relais Anfitheatro.
Via Etnea, which was also the name of via Stesicorea and via the duke of Uzeda, in honor of the viceroy of the time, it is the main street of the historic centre of Catania.
The buildings that were built along the two streets were built in the style of the sicilian baroque style by the architects Giovan Battista Vaccarini, and Francesco Battaglia. Along the via Etnea, were built seven churches, which, starting from the cathedral situated in piazza Duomo continued with the Basilica of the Collegiate church, the Church of the Minoriti, the Church of San Biagio, the Church of Santissimo Sacramento al Borgo and the Church of Sant'agata to the Village.
Along its route were built many palaces for the nobility of catania, and public buildings. Starting from piazza Duomo you will meet the Palazzo degli Elefanti, seat of the town hall, and then the Palace of the University and Palazzo San Giuliano.
With its cobblestones in Etna lava stone, is now a pedestrian street in the stretch that goes from the piazza del Duomo, the Quattro Canti.
Is the shopping street and one of the busiest streets of the city both day and at night: in the surrounding streets there are plenty of local restaurants, bars, pubs and pizzerias.