THE
PROVINCE OF CATANIA
The
province of Catania comprises fifty-eight cities totalling an extension
of 3,552 square kilometres and over a million inhabitants. Catania
is most renowned for its neighboring, European’s highest,
and still active, volcano, that has played a decisive role in the
city’s history. Catania has survived numerous disasters –
as were several eruptions and at least three big earthquakes numbering
victims in the thousands – always regaining its former splendor.
Also
renowned is the city’s devotion to its patron Sant’Agata,
celebrated on 3 February by a procession of “Candelore”,
huge candles carried by the devotees, preceded by a wooden chandelier
where are portrayed scenes of the saint’s martyrdom. Other
processions take place on the following days.
Catania
is renowned for being the birth-place of illustrious figures, such
as musician Vincenzo Bellini and writer Giovanni Verga (born at
Vizzini), and boasts an important culinary tradition that much owes
to the province’s thriving agriculture. Much appreciated are
the “pizze” and the “scacciate” (kinds of
local pastries) and the seafood and fish cuisine, notably along
the seaside.
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