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.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Jennifer Smith (10 months ago)
My friend and I attended the €10 English tour at 1pm. Our tour guide was AMAZING. Seriously, we agreed it was one of the best tours we’ve ever been on. The guide’s English was excellent, the history and anecdotes fascinating, with plenty of humour thrown in. Incredible architecture and design, as well as decor. Absolutely worth the money for the 1.5 hour tour.

Cori Harper (10 months ago)
Make sure to be at the church 5 minutes before noon and see the sun dial it was amazing. Also, a nice memorial to the soldiers killed in the world wars. Great gardens. Great use of space and turned it into the university.

Nilvanta Kerai (11 months ago)
Absolutely must do when in Catania. Tour guide was brilliant and very knowledgeable. Enjoyed the history, beautiful cloisters and stunning gardens.

Humberto Dapelo (2 years ago)
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.

Andy Wilkinson (2 years ago)
Well worth the €10 per person. We booked this purely on spec having browsed places to visit in Catania. The English guided tour is 1pm daily so make sure you pre book. The Monastry is now the University for Humanities. The building itself has many different areas including an outside view of the lava wall from 1669. The original Benedictine monastery on the site has many original areas that can be seen today. The guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable this added to the value of the tour. My favorite area was the underneath if the university from the original cellar to the old roman remains. Don't miss this trip.

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Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena

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