Points of Interest: The violent history of Acireale has left few remains from ancient times. The most important ancient remains are those of a Roman bath and a temple, both dating from Republican times, located near Capo Molini. Remains of another Roman era building are located in the Casalotto district.
What the city lacks in ancient monuments, it makes up for in the many beautiful 17th-18th century Sicilian-Baroque style religious and secular monumental buildings. Many of the principal monumental buildings surround the Piazza Duomo.
The Belvedere is a public garden laid out in 1848. From here are excellent views of M. Etna and the east coast of Sicily.
The city also contains an important meteorological observatory, a Seminary, and a teachers’ college. There is also an experimental station for citrus-fruit.
Monuments: The huge Palazzo Comunale, dating from 1659, includes a fine portal and balconies supported by carved corbels.
The 19th century classical Palazzo Pennisi di Floristella, a work of Mariano Falcini, has a famous numismatic collection of ancient Greek and Sicilian coins (6th– 4th centuries BC).
The exterior of the 17th century Palazzo Musumeci is noted for its iron balconies and Rococo style windows.
The neoclassical Thermae di Santa Vénera can be found in a park near the town. Used since Roman times, these hot sulfurous and radioactive springs have been developed as a health spa (the present one dating from 1873) for the treatment of neuritis, gout and respiratory ailments. The remains of a Roman era bath facility have been excavated and are thought to be the Tepidarium and the Calidarium.
In the vicinity of Acireale are sites that, since ancient times, have been identified with mythology including the Cave of Polyphemus and the Grotto of Galatea.
Museums: The Biblioteca and Pinacotera dell’Accademia Zelantea is a fine-arts museum founded in 1671. It represents one of Sicily’s most important libraries and contains old theological, philosophical and scientific manuscripts and a collection of historical books. Also housed here are archaeological finds (including a 1st century BC bust of Caesar) and a notable coin collection. There is a collection of paintings by 17th and 18th century Sicilian artists.
The Museum dei Pupi dell’Opra houses some interesting puppets and has a theater for performances.
Churches (& other religious sites): The roof and windows of the domed Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral of the Annunziata e Venere (constructed between 1597 and 1618) suffered considerable damage during World War II but were later restored. The building is famous for its tiled spires and its Baroque portal. It has an early 20th century neo-Gothic façade created by Giovanni Battista Basile. The doorway that pieces it, however, is a survival of the original 16th century Baroque façade. It also incorporates a 17th century marble portal between two campanili. The interior contains a nave and two aisles. The interior decoration includes frescoes by Pietro Paolo Vasta (1737) and Antonio Filocamo (1711). The left aisle has a holy-water stoup believed to be a 1525 work of Antonello Gagini. There is a meridian dating from 1843. The Capella di Santa Venera, in the right transept, contains a 1651 silver statue of the town’s patron saint, S. Venere. There are a number of statues by Blandamonte (1668). On the floor of the transept is an interesting 19th century sundial created by Wolfang Sertorius and F. Peters.
The Baroque church or Basilica of S. Sebastiano possesses an elaborate early 17th century Spanish Baroque-style balustrade façade decorated with statues and garlands (restored 1705). The balustrade, with its 10 statues of Old Testament figures, is a 1754 work by Giovanni Battista Marino. It has a nave and two aisles. The interior (dome, chapels, and transept) contains frescoes by Pietro Paolo Vasta (1697-1760), depicting the life of St. Sebastian. The roof and windows underwent repair after World War II.
The church of the Suffragio also suffered damage during World War II.
The 17th century church of the Crociferi contains some pleasant frescoes.
The 16th century church or basilica of SS. Pietro e Paolo has a notable early- 18th century façade of pillars, with statues of the patron saints.
The church of the Filippini is a neoclassical structure.
The church of S. Domenico has a notable Baroque façade.
Outside of the city is the Grotta del Presepe di S. Maria della Neve. Used both by brigands and fishermen in the 17th century, the cave was consecrated to religious use. In 1752, a manger scene (presepe) consisting of 32 wax figures was created here.
In the frazione of S. Maria la Scala is an interesting 17th century Chiesa Madre.
Festivals/Feasts/Events: Acireale celebrates a well-known 5-day Carnevale held in February and March. The festivities include parades of floats with marchers dressed in colorful costumes.
The city’s famous traditional Sicilian puppet theater, at the Opera dei Pupi, gives performances in August and September.
During July dramatic performances are held in honor of the town’s patron saint, Santa Venera. During the 19th century, the English scholar, Augustus Hare, noted that the area around Acireale was devoted to the veneration of Santa Venera, a survival of the ancient worship of Venus.
Acireale’s creche, displayed in a lava grotto during the Christmas season, dates from 1736.
There is an annual cattle fair held every July during which products derived from the local cattle and sheep industries are displayed.
Acireale, Diocese of: Suffragan to the Archdiocese of Catania. Part of the Ecclesiastical Region of Sicily. Area: 665 km²; Inhabitants: 223,722. Parishes: 111. Clergy: 140 (Secular Priests), 176 (Regular Priests), 9 (Permanent Deacons).
The diocese of Acireale was established in 1844. Its first bishop, however, was not appointed until 1872.