Underground Catania Cultural Tour in Sicily
by Etna Ngeniousa
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€160Overview
This 2-3 hour cultural walking tour explores the hidden layers beneath Catania in Sicily, tracing the city's history from classical times to the 18th century. It begins at a large thermal complex dating to the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, located beneath Piazza Duomo, where visitors see the only accessible remains of numerous Roman bath rooms. The tour continues to the underground area below Catania's Cathedral, showing its evolution from a Norman "ecclesia munita" to the Baroque structure seen today, reflecting centuries of reconstruction and local faith. Next, the guide leads to the Amenano underground river, which once flowed above ground into Lake Nicito but now runs beneath the historic center. A branch still flows through a cave on the route, illustrating how natural events and human activity have reshaped the city. The final stop is a lava tube cave used since Greek times as a cistern and Roman catacomb. It is traditionally known as the first burial site of Saint Agatha and contains a small church with ancient frescoes and rock-carved decorations.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Roman Thermal Complex
This large thermal complex dates from the 3rd to 4th century AD and once extended across the area now known as Piazza Duomo. While many rooms formed the original baths, only a section beneath the cathedral remains accessible today.
20 min
Catania Cathedral Underground
Beneath the Cathedral lies a space reflecting the city's layered history, from the original Norman "ecclesia munita" to the current Baroque building. The area tells of destruction, rebuilding, and the local people's faith across centuries.
20 min
Amenano Underground River
The Amenano is a hidden river flowing beneath Catania's historic center. Formerly above ground feeding Lake Nicito, it now runs underground through a cave where a branch still flows, showing natural and urban changes over time.
10 min
Ancient Lava Tube Cave and Crypt
This lava flow cave was used as a cistern in Greek times and later as a Roman catacomb. Tradition holds it as the first burial site of Saint Agatha. A small church was built here as early as 262 AD, and the crypt contains ancient frescoes and decorations carved into the rock.
20 min
Meeting point
In front of the main door of the Cathedral. Guide will have a folder in hand
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Underground Catania Cultural Tour in Sicily
by Etna Ngeniousa
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€160Overview
This 2-3 hour cultural walking tour explores the hidden layers beneath Catania in Sicily, tracing the city's history from classical times to the 18th century. It begins at a large thermal complex dating to the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, located beneath Piazza Duomo, where visitors see the only accessible remains of numerous Roman bath rooms. The tour continues to the underground area below Catania's Cathedral, showing its evolution from a Norman "ecclesia munita" to the Baroque structure seen today, reflecting centuries of reconstruction and local faith. Next, the guide leads to the Amenano underground river, which once flowed above ground into Lake Nicito but now runs beneath the historic center. A branch still flows through a cave on the route, illustrating how natural events and human activity have reshaped the city. The final stop is a lava tube cave used since Greek times as a cistern and Roman catacomb. It is traditionally known as the first burial site of Saint Agatha and contains a small church with ancient frescoes and rock-carved decorations.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Roman Thermal Complex
This large thermal complex dates from the 3rd to 4th century AD and once extended across the area now known as Piazza Duomo. While many rooms formed the original baths, only a section beneath the cathedral remains accessible today.
20 min
Catania Cathedral Underground
Beneath the Cathedral lies a space reflecting the city's layered history, from the original Norman "ecclesia munita" to the current Baroque building. The area tells of destruction, rebuilding, and the local people's faith across centuries.
20 min
Amenano Underground River
The Amenano is a hidden river flowing beneath Catania's historic center. Formerly above ground feeding Lake Nicito, it now runs underground through a cave where a branch still flows, showing natural and urban changes over time.
10 min
Ancient Lava Tube Cave and Crypt
This lava flow cave was used as a cistern in Greek times and later as a Roman catacomb. Tradition holds it as the first burial site of Saint Agatha. A small church was built here as early as 262 AD, and the crypt contains ancient frescoes and decorations carved into the rock.
20 min
Meeting point
In front of the main door of the Cathedral. Guide will have a folder in hand
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.