Villa Bellini, Catania
Via Etnea, 292, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
The local knowledge about Villa Bellini
-History and Legends
-What to see inside
-Where to eat around Villa Bellini
The local knowledge about Villa Bellini, by a local
Catania's "Villa Bellini" opened to the public in January 1883.
Originally, the garden featured a small
zoological section with aviaries and free-roaming birds.
It hosts a diverse range of subtropical species, thriving amidst the Mediterranean climate.
In the 1960s, this expanded to include a variety of birds, ducks, swans, peacocks, reptiles, snakes, monkeys, and even elephants, symbolising Catania's connection to nature (we'll cover the story of the elephants below).
By the end of this blog,
we hope to answer all your questions
about the famous Villa Bellini, so stay tuned.
Table of contents - Navigation
1. Places you should definitely visit in Villa Bellini
2. The Elephants of Villa Bellini: Tony and Menelik's Stories (with photos)
3. The 3 Places to see around Villa Bellini
4. The 6 Best Food and Restaurant around the Villa Bellini for an Unforgettable Meal
5. Beyond Villa Bellini, Catania's famous Fish Market
6. Get Around Catania, a guide to public and private transport
1. Places you should definitely visit inside Villa Bellini, Catania
Architectural Marvels:
- Entrance from Via Etnea: The grand entrance is marked by a staircase lined with blooming flower beds, leading to a plaza with a large pond, once home to graceful swans. Overlooking this pond is a unique clock made of evergreen plants, with gardeners updating the date daily.
- Chiostro dei Concerti: Atop the southern hill stands the "Chiostro dei Concerti," an iron kiosk built in 1879 in Moorish style. This spot was renowned for classical music concerts, echoing the artistic soul of Catania. It's an amazing spot to just sit, relax and enjoy some takeaway food from Pasticceria Savia.
- Collina del Salvatore: The northern hill, known as "Collina del Salvatore," once featured a cherry wood pavilion in Liberty style, misnamed the "Chinese Kiosk" due to its imperial Chinese origins. Housing a library, this pavilion was a symbol of cultural exchange but was unfortunately lost to a fire in 2001.
- Central Plaza: The heart of the garden divides the two hills, once a resting spot for visitor carriages. Today, it hosts famous artists' concerts during summer, continuing the tradition of music and celebration. Feel free to roam around the path that leads on the right of the square, to a lesser visited part of the villa, which features stunning trees and vegetation.
- Viale degli Uomini Illustri: On the west side, a staircase leads to the "Viale degli Uomini Illustri," adorned with busts of famous Italian and Catanese figures. At its top sits a dodecahedral solar clock, a relic from the "Labyrinth" of Prince Biscari, blending history with astronomy.
2. The Elephants of Villa Bellini: Tony and Menelik's Stories (with photos)
Villa Bellini, a jewel in the heart of Catania, has witnessed unique chapters in its history, marked notably by two elephants, Tony and Menelik, whose stories are as intriguing as they are poignant.
Tony: The Circus Elephant's New Home
In 1965, the Darix Togni Circus gifted the city of Catania a beautiful elephant named Tony. Interestingly, Tony was named before her gender was known; she was an elderly female elephant, retired from circus life. The circus, while in Catania, offered Tony to the city administration under the condition that she would be used for promotional parades for the circus shows. Villa Bellini, which had housed a small zoo since the 1950s, became Tony's new home.
Tony's Eventful Arrival
Tony's journey to Villa Bellini was eventful. Planned to parade from Piazza Alcalà, the procession dissolved in chaos when Tony, reaching Piazza Duomo, panicked and fled, causing considerable damage before being sedated and moved to her enclosure in Villa Bellini. Despite the care she received, Villa Bellini's environment proved inadequate for Tony, who tragically passed away on May 13, 1967, after being found critically ill by the zookeeper.
Menelik: The Eritrean Jewel
Tony's story echoes that of Menelik, another elephant with a tragic fate at Villa Bellini. Over 60 years earlier, Menelik, named after the Ethiopian Emperor, was gifted to the Kingdom of Italy following the Treaty of Uccialli in 1889. King Umberto I, recognizing the elephant as Catania's symbol, donated Menelik to the city. The young elephant, however, succumbed less than a year later due to inadequate living conditions and poor diet. Menelik's remains were later preserved and displayed at the Zoology Institute of the University.
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3. What to see around Villa Bellini? The best 3 places within 10 mins walking
Here's a list of some of the best things to see around Villa Bellini.
Hope you will enjoy them as much as we did!
4. The 6 Best Food and Restaurants around Villa Bellini for an Unforgettable Meal
Here's a list of what we believe are the best restaurants around Villa Bellini.
These are our recommendation and we are not sponsored by them in any way.
Hope you will enjoy them as much as we did!
Villa Bellini/Chiosco Bellini
Via Etnea, 292, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Small, serene garden area in a city park with shaded paths, benches, fountains & flowerbeds.
Opening times:
Open Daily: 7am-9pm
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kids
- Dog park
🍘 Want a list of the Best Street Foods in Catania and where to find them? Read the article here!
5. The Fish Market in Catania
Stacks of Octopuses, Red Prawns, Lobsters, oyster crates.
Mollusks, cockles, and clams squirt water into the air while you can admire exquisite arrangements of Red Tuna and Swordfish.
The smoke of roasted artichokes and peppers fill the air. Spices, herbs, fish and the experience in one of finest of Sicilian Markets.
Read about the famous Fish Market in Catania
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OUR EXPERIENCE
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Live an unforgettable experience trekking the tallest active volcano in Europe!
We fell in love with this excursion. The trek makes you feel like you're on a different planet, with drastic landscapes
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Sergio is a fantastic experienced guide, he will pick you up from your hotel on a 4WD, provide you with extra safety equipment and guide you through the fantastic trek.
6. 🚆 Get Around Catania - Transportation
Want to get around Catania? Here's some options for you handy so you can always get to your destination in the best way.
🚕
Taxi Service 24/7 Radio Taxi:
Click to call +39 095 8833
Click to Whatsapp +39 342 073 6541
🚗
Rent a car at Catania Airport:
(Recommendations Based on Online Reviews)
- Centauro Nolo Auto:
Click to call +39 068 3662959
Open in Google Maps
- D'Urso Rent Catania (no credit card required):
Click to call +39 348 551 8634
Open in Google Maps
- Zeronove Bike Rental & Repair:
Click to call +39 375 626 8655
Open in Google Maps
- D'Urso Rent Catania (no credit card required):
Click to call +39 095 218 0438
Open in Google
Maps
🛴
Electric Scooters Catania:
The electric scooters are all around Catania. You can download the apps, connect your credit/debit card and you're ready to ride!
Price: Rides cost about 0.25-0.30 per minute, plus an unlock fee depending on the app.
I use Dott's 2 rides pass, or weekly pass, and it saves a lot !
The 3 main apps are:
Dott: Better and more affordable passes, wide range in the city.
Download the app with this referral link, and you'll get a Free Ride! (after you complete one) https://referral.ridedott.com/M9V8WHA
Lime:
More comfortable Scooters, but you pay slightly more.
Download the app with this referral link, to get a reward:
https://lime.bike/referral_signin/RCRFX7E
Helbiz:
wide range in the city, comfortable rides.
🚄 Public Transport
🚌 AMTS City Buses: you can find the tickets on the 'Tobacco shops' with a 'T' sign outside, then you can find informations to move around easily on Google Maps.
Price:
1 Euro for every 90 minutes (timer starts after you validate your ticket on the bus)
🚃 Metro Trains Underground: Catania metro system is very easy to navigate. It has only 9 stations, and it takes 25 mins to go all the way from first to last station.
Metro does operate every day excluded Sunday or public holidays. Train run every 10 min from 8.30 a.m. until 3.00 p.m. and than every 15 min until the end of the service at 9.00 p.m. On Saturdays, service runs until midnight. Ticket per 90 min costs 1 eur.
Price: Day ticket is 2 Euros and may be purchased at ticket machine at every station.
Explore the city's best free activities, restaurants, and insider tips, all curated from our local and personal experience.
Great fun guaranteed.