Acireale, Coastal city at Mount Etna foothills, Italy
Acireale is a town on the eastern coast of Sicily, spreading between the slopes of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea at an elevation of around 100 meters (330 feet) above sea level. The old center organizes itself around several squares connected by narrow streets and wide pedestrian avenues, lined with palaces from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The town was almost entirely rebuilt in the 17th century following a devastating earthquake in 1693. This reconstruction shaped the current layout with its many baroque churches and noble residences that still dominate the center today.
The baroque churches at the center display richly decorated facades built from pale stone that glows golden in the sunlight. On summer weekends, locals gather in the Piazza del Duomo, where cafés set out tables on the cobblestones and families stroll until late evening.
The main visitor area extends from Corso Umberto to Piazza del Duomo, which can be crossed on foot in about 15 minutes. Streets in the historic center are mostly paved and sometimes steep, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
The Biblioteca Zelantea houses a collection of around 200,000 volumes, including rare manuscripts from the 16th century. The same building contains an art gallery with works by Sicilian painters that is often overlooked by visitors.
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