Civic Museum of Catania, Art and archaeological museum in Catania, Italy
The Civic Museum of Catania occupies Castello Ursino and displays ancient artworks, paintings, sculptures, and archaeological finds from Sicily. The fortress building features thick stone walls and multiple gallery levels that hold the different collections.
Emperor Frederick II ordered the construction of Castello Ursino in the 13th century as a fortress and royal residence. It later served under Aragonese rulers before being converted into this museum in 1934.
The collections reveal connections between Greek, Roman, and medieval communities through ceramics, coins, weapons, and religious artworks from the region. These objects show how different cultures shaped Sicily over centuries.
The museum is open daily from morning to evening and is fully accessible for wheelchair users throughout the building. Comfortable shoes are recommended since there are many stairs connecting the different gallery levels.
During the 1669 Mount Etna eruption, lava flows surrounded the castle walls and shifted the building roughly 500 meters inland from its original seaside location. This natural event permanently altered the geography of the place in relation to the city.
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