Paternò
Paternò is a city and comune in the Metropolitan City of Catania, in the autonomous region of Sicily, Italy. With a population of around 44,500 it is the fourth-largest city of the province and the seventeenth-largest in Sicily. It lies inland from Catania in the fertile country around the Simeto valley near Mount Etna.
At a glance
- Type
- City and comune
- Period
- Historic Sicilian town
- Style
- Sicilian civic and religious architecture
- Location
- Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, Italy
Overview
Paternò is a city and comune in the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily. With about 44,500 inhabitants it ranks as the fourth-largest city of the province and the seventeenth-largest on the island. It is a significant inland centre within the Catania metropolitan area.
History
Paternò developed as a town in the Catania region of eastern Sicily. Its position inland from the coast placed it within the agricultural and trade networks of the Simeto basin. Over time it grew into one of the larger urban centres of the province.
What you see
The city presents the civic and religious fabric typical of a historic Sicilian town. Set inland near Mount Etna, its surroundings combine urban settlement with the cultivated countryside of the Catania plain. Its scale reflects its standing among the province’s principal towns.
Cultural significance
As one of the larger cities of the Metropolitan City of Catania, Paternò is an established centre of eastern Sicily. It contributes to the regional heritage of the Etna and Simeto territory.
Practical information
Paternò is an open town in the province of Catania. For information on its monuments, museums and local services, check the official website.
Getting there
Paternò is reached by road from Catania, the provincial capital to the south-east, and is connected to the surrounding towns of the Etna region. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa.