Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena
Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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@netflixit mi hai sentito? 👌🏻 e voi seguitemi per scoprire altri luoghi incredibili in Italia ⬇️ 📍Palazzo Biscari e la sua scala ad onda. Ci ha ospitato uno dei proprietari di casa. Ci ha parlato di come questo palazzo sia stato sempre una 💎 nel cuore di Catania e come molti artisti e produttori stranieri ne siano rimasti affascinati. Ci ha rivelato che @mikjagger ha suonato in queste sale e sempre in queste sale hanno girato il film Cyrano de Bergerac del 2021. Ma forse lo riconoscerete meglio dal videoclip dei Coldplay Violet Hill. Cosa dire? il mio nuovo posto preferito. Molto in stile #bridgerton 📍I musei reali di Torino sono qualcosa di eccezionale. Da fuori il palazzo sembra spoglio e non invita ad entrarci, ma non appena aprirete quella soglia vi si stanzierà davanti a voi qualcosa di pazzesco. Le stanze sono una dopo l’altra sempre più belle fino a raggiungere quella che era la Gendarmeria Reale. Una stanza che sembra uscita davvero da un film in costume . Ci ha accompagnato @somewheretour che grazie alla sua guida ci ha fatto conoscere tutti i segreti del palazzo. 📍Monastero dei Benedettini. La nostra guida eccezionale al @monasterodeibenedettini ci ha fatto scoprire la bellezza e i segreti dietro la sede di lettere dell’Università di Catania. Fidatevi in questo video non avete visto niente, more is yet to come. 🇮🇹Sono uno più bello dell’altro, ma quale ti affascina di più? 🌎Seguimi per non perderti altri video ❤️Like se vorresti andarci ☁️ Commento se hai qualcosa da dire 📍Se vuoi andarci . . . . . #travelitalia #torinoèlamiacittà #catania #italiainfoto #italiadascoprire #consiglidiviaggio #viaggiarechepassione #sicilytourism #filmlocation @netflixit @bridgertonnetflix
whereyouneedtobe_whereyouneedtobe_
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One of the biggest monastery’s in Europe and the pearl of Sicilian late baroque style which was included to UNESCO world heritage list. Now there is a Humanitarian faculty of the Catania University. From the top of the church in university there is a panoramic view on the city and volcano Etna. The monastery was founded in 1558 by Casino monks, firstly it was created in a square shape with an internal cloister defined as “Marbles”, ( 17 th century colonnade, fountain and decorations from Carrara marble). After eruption of Etna in 1669 the monastery was saved but the church attached to it was destroyed. But the catastrophic earthquake in 1693 destroyed almost everything. The basement and parting the first floor of the 16th century monastery remain intact. Of the cloister, 14 columns remain erect, the others fall down and break. In 1702 reconstruction began and the monastery was repopulated by monks coming from other monasteries. The monastery grew compared to the original plan. Next to the ‘Marble’ or Western cloister, rebuilt and renewed with late-baroque decorations, the Eastern Cloister with its garden and the Caffeaos in eclectic style was added. A new area on the North side was also added to host the rooms destined to the common activities of the monks: the library, the kitchen, the novices’ aisle, the dining rooms, the night choir (chapel). On top of the lava ‘wall’, were built two gardens: the botanical garden – the wonders garden – and the novices’ garden. The facade of the of the San Nicolò l’Arena church is unfinished. Extended and enriched with decorations, the monastery became one of the biggest in Europe. Various famous Sicilian architects took part in the reconstruction: Ittar, Battaglia, Battaglia Santangelo, and Palazzotto. Giovan Battista Vaccarini who participated in the reconstruction: he designed the kitchen, the main dining-hall and the library. In 1866, the state confiscated the Benedictine Monastery and from 1868 the monastery was re-used for civil scopes. I could not even imagine what is the happiness to study in such historical walls of this building.
Elena *Elena *
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Best attraction in Catania! It's still called a monastery, but today it's the house of the University of Catania, Faculty of Humanities, home to 900 lucky students. The monastery, 3rd in size in Europe, was built by 50 opulent rich monks, who wanted to live a flourishing life. The building went through a lava eruption event in 1669, and a huge devastating earthquake in 1693. The monks used the opportunity to rebuild it 15 times bigger. The university discovered lots of rooms and architectural treasures such as a mosaic floor of an Ancient Roman house, and an even older Greek house structure, on which the monks built the monastery, or the fountain which had also been lost at some point, and just rebuilt in 2007 using a sketch made by a French architect that the university managed to find in Paris. The current library is located in the old celler underneath the monastery, and above the ancient Roman and Greek findings. It's amazing that the students have access to such precious surroundings every day, and it's due to the University's culture and values, believing that such treasures must be shared, enjoyed and cherished (as opposed to most universities located in historical buldings where students only have access to the modern parts, while the historical parts house the offices). The headmaster's office is also an amazing historical room, and if you visit during the weekend, you get to see it too. The monastery may be visited only with a guided tour, there's several groups daily both in Italian and English, everything available on their website. It costs 10 EUR and it's worth every penny. You get to visit everything and learn its amazing story from a super nice, charming and passionate guide. ♥️ Buy the tickets in advance, especially for the English tour, as it's usually fully booked. Strongly recommend!
Ana SAna S
00
If you're looking for a unique and fascinating experience in Catania, look no further than the Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena. This ancient monastery has been through it all, surviving earthquakes, lava flows from Mount Etna, and even being repurposed over the years as a gym, school, barracks, and university. Yet, even after all of that, it still stands tall and proud in the heart of Catania. I highly recommend taking a guided tour of the monastery to truly appreciate its history and significance. For just €8 per person, you'll receive a 70-minute tour that will take you through each hall and help you understand the story behind it. From the different gardens and their meanings to the underground area and kitchen, you'll get a glimpse into the past and how the monks lived. Overall, the Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena is definitely worth visiting. Don't hesitate, step in and touch the history of this incredible place.
Wisanu TuntawiroonWisanu Tuntawiroon
00
Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena in Catania, Sicily, is an extraordinary cultural gem that invites visitors to step back in time. The sheer grandeur of this Benedictine monastery, with its vast courtyards and intricate architecture, is awe-inspiring. The guided tours offered here are a highlight, providing insightful narratives that unravel the rich history and significance of the monastery. The knowledgeable guides seamlessly blend historical context with engaging anecdotes, making the experience both educational and captivating. Exploring the monastery's various sections, from the majestic church to the serene cloisters, offers a profound understanding of Sicilian history and the monastic life. Monastero dei Benedettini is a must-visit, promising an immersive journey into the past and an appreciation for the cultural tapestry of Catania.
Humberto DapeloHumberto Dapelo
00
We did a self-guided tour through the Monastery as at the time we have arrived here (4:30pm) there was seemingly no ticket counter or a tour guide, so we just walked in. You can easily spend hours in this magnificent place just getting lost in the various hidden corners, gardens and intricate corridors and halls. The Monastery is used nowadays by the University of Catania hence you can see a lot of students, with many of the rooms converted to lecture halls. Some of them, including the library, are really impressive. Everyone here seems to be used to tourist visits so no is looking at you strangely. Towering above the Monastery is the impressive dome of the adjacent Saint Nicolas church, so don't forget to visit it as well. Overall, this was an interesting and insightful experience despite not benefitting from a detailed guided tour.
Andrej MichalAndrej Michal
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Nearby Attractions Of Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena
Villa Bellini/Chiosco Bellini
Ursino Castle
Castello Ursino
Fountain of the Elephant
Basilica Cattedrale di Sant'Agata
Piazza Università
Greek - Roman theatre
Teatro Massimo Bellini
Roman Amphitheater of Catania
Porta Garibaldi
Villa Bellini/Chiosco Bellini
4.4
(7.4K)
Click for details
Ursino Castle
4.4
(5K)
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Castello Ursino
4.3
(4.2K)
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Fountain of the Elephant
4.7
(4.2K)
Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena
Pasticceria Savia
Trattoria del Cavaliere
Catania Fish Market
Al Vicolo Pizza&Vino
Fud Bottega sicula
A Putia Dell'Ostello
Il Borgo di Federico
Sette Più
Razmataz | Wine Bar Catania
Sazi e Sani - Catania
Pasticceria Savia
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(5.1K)
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Trattoria del Cavaliere
4.2
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Catania Fish Market
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Al Vicolo Pizza&Vino
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Piazza Dante Alighieri, 32, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
Map
Phone
+39 095 710 2767
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Website
monasterodeibenedettini.it
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Overview
4.7
(655 reviews)
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Description
The Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena in Catania, Sicily is a former Benedictine monastery, located on Piazza Dante 30 in the city of Catania, region of Sicily, Italy. After the Mafra, this abbey is the second largest Benedictine monastery in Europe.
attractions: Villa Bellini/Chiosco Bellini, Ursino Castle, Castello Ursino, Fountain of the Elephant, Basilica Cattedrale di Sant'Agata, Piazza Università, Greek - Roman theatre, Teatro Massimo Bellini, Roman Amphitheater of Catania, Porta Garibaldi, restaurants: Pasticceria Savia, Trattoria del Cavaliere, Catania Fish Market, Al Vicolo Pizza&Vino, Fud Bottega sicula, A Putia Dell'Ostello, Il Borgo di Federico, Sette Più, Razmataz | Wine Bar Catania, Sazi e Sani - Catania
