Aci Catena

Aci Catena is a city in the Province of Catania in the autonomous region of Sicily in Italy with 28 722 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012).

Location and data

Aci Catena is 12 km northeast of Catania, just 3 km from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The inhabitants mainly work in agriculture and industry in Catania.

The districts include Aci San Filippo and the residential area of Monte Vampolieri, but which geographically belongs rather to the neighboring municipality of Aci Castello. From there one has a good view of the three upstream lava rocks of the Sicilian Cyclops. According to legend, these rocks were hurled from the Cyclops Polyphemus into the sea as he tried to sink the ships of the fleeing Odysseus after he had blinded him.

The neighboring municipalities are Aci Castello, Aci Sant'Antonio, Acireale and Valverde.

History

The village of Aci Catena developed in the environment of the Palace of the Riggio family. After the 1693 earthquake, the city grew by immigration of people whose cities were destroyed. The name of the township was until 1826 Scarpi.

Structures

• Palace Riggio
• Church of San Giuseppe 18th century
• Constructed parish church of Madonna della Catena, after the 1693 earthquake,
• Church of Sant 'Antonio di Padova in the 17th century
• Church of Santa Lucia with a beautiful staircase

Twinning

• Spain Ceuta, Spain
• Catenanuova Italy, Italy
• Campofiorito Italy, Italy