Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena

Catania, Italy

The Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena in Catania, Sicily, is one of the largest monasteries in Europe and the second biggest Benedictine monastery in Europe. The monastery was founded in 1558 and today it hosts the Department of Humanities of the University of Catania.

The monastery complex is located in the historical centre of the city of Catania, with the church of San Nicolò l'Arena. It shows architectonical integration of many styles through different centuries. Although the monastery was founded in the 16th century, it was modified by two natural disasters in the 17th century. In 1669 the 1669 Etna eruption surrounded the city of Catania, widening the coast for more than 1 km, and the monastery too. So the monastery was not destroyed by the lava but the area around was completely modified by a lava bench 12 meters high.

In 1693 the earthquake of Val di Noto destroyed the entire east coast of Sicily and Catania. The monastery was terribly damaged and the only floor that survived was the basement.

In 1702 the rebuilding started and lasted until 1866 (when the new Reign of Italy confiscated the monastery). The original monastery was rebuilt on the top of the latter, and they added a new cloister (the eastern cloister) and a new area (the large part designed by Giovanni Battista Vaccarini) on the top of the lava bench.

In 1977 the monastery was donated to the University of Catania, which restored the entire structure; in 1984 Giancarlo De Carlo started to design the entire restoration work.

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Address

Piazza Dante Alighieri 24, Catania, Italy
See all sites in Catania

Details

Founded: 1558
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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User Reviews

Nicola Bova (4 months ago)
Totally worth a visit. Giovanni was a great guide!
Grant Bremner (7 months ago)
This is an amazing place to visit when open. This Benedettini monastery is one of the largest in Europe ans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded around 1558 and today it is part of the University of Catania. It is an amazing structure and definately worth a visit.
Vassilis Arvanitopoulos (2 years ago)
A place that inspires you to study. Very newly friendly design of reconstructed areas, that offer to the students a "room" to improve and innovate.
Bartłomiej Kozak (2 years ago)
Great experience. Definitely worth visiting! Tours available in English.
Natalie Otto (2 years ago)
Beautiful place. If you are able to, you should take walk up to the top of the building. You'll be rewarded with an amazing view over the city and are also able to see Mt Etna.
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