Acireale

Culture, Tipical places
Piazza Duomo Acireale
095 895249

A few kilometers from Catania, there is the “noble” city of Acireale. It was an important economic, political and cultural centre from the Greek era to the late Middle Ages and Acireale has always been populated by wealthy nobles and artisans.

According to legend, the city’s name derives from the myth of Acis and Galatea, which tells of the love between the shepherd Acis and the divene nymph Galatea. According to the story, from the Acis’ blood, killed by the jealous Cyclops Polyphemus, was born the homonymous river that gives its name to the city.
Later, during the Spanish rule, with a decree of 1642 Philip V attributed to Aci the additional name of “Royal” because it was a state town.

The ancient city was located on the promontory of Capomulini, now a fishing village. Only in 1326 the town was transferred where is now and its name became Aci of Nova Aquilia.

During the sixteenth century the city was consolidated as a reference merchant point, it brought great wealth to the city and a lot of corporations and religious orders settled in the city.
Even today, in fact, Acireale is called the city of  “hundred bells”.

Acireale is famous for its Carnival celebrations, that every year attracts visitors from all over Sicily and Italy.
The characteristic feature of the celebrations are the grotesque, allegorical floats, masked groups and floats adorned with flowers, typically of this city, that parade through the streets of Acireale.