Palazzo dei Chierici

It’s located on the south side of Piazza Duomo, some people believe that the original structure was built in the sixteenth century, after the 1693’s earthquake that destroyed it completely, the palace was rebuilt in the first decades of the eighteenth century by Alonzo Di Benedetto and was enlarged in 1757 by Francesco Battaglia.

The Palazzo dei Chierici, also is known as the Clerks’ Seminary (which once housed it), it’s connected to the Saint Aghata’s Cathedral through an overpass that goes over Uzeda’s entrance. The inclution of building inside the city walls is its hallmark. From the staircase placed on the right of the building you can reach the Porta Carlo V (Carlo V Gate).

The eighteenth-century architecture incorporates the typical contrast between the dark plaster and white stone cornice, the large windows and balconies have a distinctive omega-shaped gable between curled volutes, corbels and large tribune according to the Baroque style.

After the massive damage caused by fire in 1944, it was bought by the municipality that decide to be it its headquarter from 1945 to 1953. From its central balcony have been looked out several famous men among them Cardinal Dusmet in 1888 to bless the city and Mussolini in 1937 to talk citizenship during his visit to Catania.

In the cloister into the palace are regularly hosted art exhibitions.