One of the most fascinating places in the monastic complex is the Giardino dei Novizi (Garden of Novices). A place that perhaps more than any other inside the complex has suffered great damage and changes, but was also excellently restored by the architect [approfondimenti id="24333" testo_link="G...

The work of the Benedictines not only followed religious and charitable commitments, but scientific undertakings, too. The monastery's first collection of books was probably created at its foundation and used exclusively by the monks, who followed the strict Benedictine rule also through the study o...

The Benedictine monastery of Catania, with its long stratigraphic history, is also known as "the city within the city". Its large size and the events that have taken place within it over the centuries elevate it to the status of a small city, bordered by large walls, which has always interacted wit...

The Benedictine Monastery is located on the hill of Montevergine and is one of the city's largest complexes. Today it is still considered the second largest monastic complex in Europe. A very long history marked by the passage of time (a testimony of which are the remains of the Roman domus, or hou...

Located in the historic centre of Catania, the church of San Nicolò l'Arena, the spiritual heart of the monastic complex, appears as a majestic unfinished backdrop within the scenic [approfondimenti id="24066" testo_link="exedra"]of Piazza Dante. It was built after the eruption of Etna in 1669,...

The most famous architectural element of the entire monastic complex is the Scala degli Angeli (staircase of the angels). The majestic main entrance leading into the church was completed in 1712 and is a characteristic example of Sicilian Baroque. The staircase of the angels, so called because of t...

The façade of the church was built, during an initial phase, by the architect Alonzo di Benedetto from Catania and later enriched and completed by the portal created by the architect [approfondimenti id="23700" testo_link="Vaccarini"]. The building's façade is characterised by a strong three-d...

The church of San Benedetto (St. Benedict), considered one of the best examples of late Baroque in Catania, is located inside the historic monastery at the beginning of Via dei Crociferi. It is the other largest convent complex of the Benedictine nuns and their current residence. It is said that t...

As you enter the church you are enveloped by an evocative golden light inside an elongated octagonal space, bordered by four chapels and four altars alternating along the axes of the church. At the height of the [approfondimenti id="23770" testo_link="trabeation"]on the first level, the character...

The original site of the monastery was near the hill of Santa Sophia, outside the city walls, but in the 13th century the nuns moved into the city in the Civita district and founded the cloistered monastery dedicated to St. Julian. After the terrible earthquake of 1693, the complex was razed to the...