The flaming red of the Etna lava, the brilliant white of the snow covering the volcano in the winter season, the impenetrable black of the lava stone, the dazzling yellow of the countryside in summer and the luxuriant green of woods and fields in spring, are all colors identifying Catania. A city like this, laying between a unique volcano and a marvelous sea able to mold the character of people, must also be a city with a viscerally seaport soul.
The port history
The first port of Catania was constructed in 1438 on the ancient Saracen port, by the will of king Alfonso d’Aragona who wanted to build a well-fortified dock adequately equipped for his big ships.
The Aragonese monarch also established an administration formed by people from Catania with the task of improving and maintaining the maritime dock.
Nevertheless, the violent coastal storm destroyed it making it unfit for use and not safe.
During all the period from 1400 to 1500 the Catania inhabitants made great efforts and consistent disbursements trying to rebuild the port.
After the unforgettable coastal storm in 1601, that completely destroyed that port, one century was spent trying to rebuild, after every regular destruction, another dock similar to the previous one, but located exactly where today stands the port of Catania.
In 1700, the Bourbon government, well intentioned to solve the serious problem of the Catania port, committed to a Maltese group of experts the study and realization of an adequate fortifications for the Etna port. In particular, they decided to build some concrete crates and place them in the sea in order to create a solid barrier against the billows.
They worked very hard for five years and at the end they provided the city of Catania with a solid and well sheltered port, canceling all the past failures.
In 1800, the Bourbon reign committed other works and that piece of land was transformed into a real dock formed by two quays, 258 and 122 meters long respectively, with a body of water of about 14 hectares, located exactly where today stands the old port and as the breakwater dam worked good, it was upgraded to the growing needs of the XIX century.
After the violent coastal storm in 1933, that seriously damaged the port structures built till that moment, the Mussolini government developed a detailed port reconstruction and renewing program.
In a few years, the old port was completely reactivated, while the breakwater was prolonged of other 570 meters; also the fortification system was improved, by putting more concrete crates; another 200 meter long arm was added, equipped with a hook and a large square was created for oil tankers and as a bunker for in transit ships.
The works were completed two years before the outbreak of the Second World War and the port was designed exactly as it is today, equal to the most modern and well equipped ports of that time, such as the port of Palermo, impressive seaport in the Western part of Sicily.
The pushing policy of the Etna seaport, also by its insertion in the strategic and military mapping, was interrupted by the war outbreak, at the end of which the port and its nearby hinterland were strongly bombed. Its entrance was impaired and its interaction with the city changed. Piazza Alcalà and Villa Pacini stands today where once the sea lapsed Palazzo Biscari.
