Catania is the second-largest city in Sicily, with a population of around 300,000. It is located in the eastern part of the island, at the foot of Mount Etna, on the coast of the Ionian Sea, roughly halfway between Messina and Syracuse. The city was founded by Greek colonists in 729 BC under the name Katani, which, according to some theories, derives from kata ("toward") and Aitnè (Etna).

Destroyed nine times by invasions, epidemics, eruptions, and earthquakes, Catania was rebuilt each time. Its present-day appearance is the result of the last reconstruction following the disastrous earthquake of 1693.

Catania is renowned for its Baroque squares and monuments, the cult of Saint Agatha, the lively fish market in the city center, as well as its cuisine and nightlife. Like Palermo, it is full of contrasts, blending elegance and beauty with dirt and decay.