HISTORY OF ACIREALE:
According to legend, the name of Acireale derives from the Greek mythology, from a shepherd called Aci, who fell in love with the nymph Galatea. The shepherd was killed by his rival in love, the Cyclops Polyphemus. Read More [...]
The town was called Jachium under the Byzantines, Al Yag during the Arab conquest of the area, and Aci d'Aquila during the domination of the Spaniards. According to tradition, the name Acireale was given by Philip IV of Spain only in 1642.
In the Middle Ages, the village consolidated around the Castle of Aci (Aci Castello), and only in the 14th century some families moved further north, where Aci d'Aquila was born, the first stable point of the today's town. In the 16th century, a strong merchant class was consolidated, which brought considerable wealth to the town.
In 1528, the emperor Charles V made Acireale a municipality. On January 11, 1693, the town was partially destroyed by the earthquake of Val di Noto, and the reconstruction process that followed favored the birth of the Baroque buildings we can admire today.
GEOGRAPHY OF ACIREALE:
Acireale is a town of about 50,000 inhabitants located on Riviera dei Ciclopi, on the east coast of Sicily, on the southern slopes of Etna. The town is built on a terrace of lava origin called the Timpa, 161 meters above the sea level. Read More [...]
Acireale is located 16 kilometers north of Catania, 36 kilometers south of Taormina, 84 kilometers north of Syracuse, about the same distance south of Messina, 105 kilometers northeast of Ragusa, 110 kilometers north of Noto, 115 kilometers northeast of Modica, and about 225 kilometers southeast of Palermo.
TRANSPORT TO ACIREALE:
The closest airport is the Vincenzo Bellini International Airport, also known as the Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, located near Catania, about 33 kilometers away from Acireale. Read More [...]
From the airport, you can take the shuttle bus ALIBUS, for a 20 minutes trip to Catania Centrale, the main railway station of Catania, and then any train to Messina, for a 15 minutes trip to Acireale. The ALIBUS ticket costs 4€ and the train ticket is 2.8€.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN ACIREALE:
The historical center of Acireale gathers many magnificent buildings, such as the Cathedral of Acireale dedicated to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, with a beautiful Baroque facade, the Municipal Palace, or Loggia Giuratoria, also in Baroque style, the Collegiate Basilica of San Sebastiano, the most important church in Acireale, declared a national monument, and the Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova, the oldest church in the city. Read More [...]
Another attraction in Acireale is the beautiful Villa Belvedere, the largest public garden of the town, called so for the splendid panorama you can admire from its large balcony.
EVENTS IN ACIREALE:
The most important event in Acireale is the Carnival, which takes places every year in January or February, and is known for the impressive allegorical floats which parade through the streets of the town. Read More [...]
Other important events are the Feast of San Sebastiano, which takes place every year on January 20, and the Feast of Santa Venera, the patron saint of the town, which takes place every year on July 26.