Acireale

15 km away from Catania stands Acireale, another magnificent example of 18^th-century baroque. In 1642 it was given the name “reale” (royal) by Philip IV of Spain, who considered it “a dear town to him”.

Piazza del Duomo is particularly noteworthy. It was completed in the first half of the 17^th century and it overlooks various baroque buildings:
• The Basilica dei Ss. Pietro e Paolo, built in 1642.
• The Town Hall.
• The Cathedral.
• The Basilica of S. Sebastiano, restored after the earthquake of 1963.

The town also boasts one of the richest libraries in Sicily, the Biblioteca e Pinacoteca Zelantea, dating back to 1671.