If we look back at the history of Catania, Sicily, its colourful past means it is no surprise that these days, it is a top destination for museum visits. There are certainly plenty to keep visitors occupied and enthralled. With long, hot summers and mild winters, it makes an ideal destination for tourism, attracting mainly middle-aged clientèle who are looking for cultural and historic themed holidays.

Four Favourite Catania Museums

Castello Ursino and Catania Civico Museum

An added bonus about this museum is its location in a 750-year-old castle. Artefacts include tools used during its time as a defence port and a prison. Exhibits also include relics found in the surrounding area. Worth seeing is the large art collection from the classical era.

Address: Piazza Federico II di Svevia, Catania,
Telephone: +39 095 345830

Casa Di Verga

The quality of a museum should not be judged by its size, such as the case with the Casa Di Verga. It is rather small however holds a lot of interesting artefacts regarding the live and works of Giovanni Carmelo Verga (1840 –1922) who lived in the house for the last 20 years of his life. There are also photographs of daily life in Catania during the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

Address: Via Sant’Anna, 8, Catania,
Telephone: +39 095 715 0598

Museo Del Cinema

Located near the railway station, it only takes a couple of hours to see this museum. Emphasising the history of cinema and the importance of pictures in daily life, guided tours are also available.

Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943

Rated as the number one museum to visit in Catania, this attraction is based on World War 2 and includes introductory films, lifelike displays and normal everyday objects dating from that time. It tells the story of the invasion of Sicily, life as a solider in that time, life in a bomb shelter, as well as before, and after pictures of towns.

Other Museums to visit in Catania

Museo Arte Contemporanea Sicilia  Mac

Address: Via Teatro Greco, 2, Catania,
Telephone: +39 095 715 2207

Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia Dentro la Sicilia S. R. L.

Address: Via Alberto Mario, 67, Catania,
Telephone: +39 095 531825

Open from 09.00am to 1.00pm and 4.00pm to 7pm

Associaz. Culturale Loco

Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 201, Catania,
Telephone: +39 095 826 2154

Museo Del Mare Della Pesca

Address: Piazza Ognina, 15, Catania,
Telephone: +39 095 712 7050

Photos credit : Marc Smith  and Kuspeletto

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