Terme Achilliane

The Terme Achilliane are underground Roman baths lying beneath the Cattedrale di Sant'Agata on Piazza Duomo in Catania, Sicily. The entrance is by a stair beside the right flank of the cathedral. Brick vaults, walls and passages belong to a larger Roman thermal complex on which the Norman cathedral was later founded, so visitors walk directly under one of the city's most important churches. The corridors are narrow and low, built of lava stone and brick, and they preserve the layered construction typical of Roman bath buildings, including vaulted rooms and service passages for heated water and air. Light is limited, and the atmosphere is quiet and cool, in sharp contrast to the busy square above. The site is part of the integrated archaeological itinerary ticket introduced in June 2026, and the price should be confirmed at the Teatro Romano ticket desk. A visit takes 20 to 30 minutes, making it a compact addition to the cathedral. Morning combines well with the cathedral nave, since the square is calmer and the cooler underground air is welcome in summer. Visitors should expect narrow spaces, steps and uneven floors, and photographs are best taken with a steady hand because of the low light. Crowds are small because the space is limited, but group tours can fill the passages briefly, so a short wait is possible. The baths are a good context stop for understanding how Catania was rebuilt on Roman foundations after the 1693 earthquake, and they pair naturally with the Teatro Romano, the Anfiteatro Romano and the Terme della Rotonda for a wider picture of the Roman city.