Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolo l'Arena

The Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolo l'Arena stands on Piazza Dante 32 in the Antico Corso area of Catania, in eastern Sicily, and is one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe. The Benedictine community founded it in 1558. In 1669 the eruption of Etna surrounded the monastery with lava, which can still be seen in the lava formations around the site. The earthquake of 1693 nearly razed the complex, and the monks rebuilt it between 1702 and 1866 in a grand Sicilian Baroque style, with large cloisters, a monumental staircase, a library, a refectory and a church. After the suppression of religious orders in the 19th century, the building passed to the state and was used for other purposes. From 1984 the architect Giancarlo De Carlo led a celebrated conversion of the complex for the University of Catania, which now uses it for its Department of Humanities. The conversion kept the Baroque fabric and integrated new university spaces, and it is regarded as a model of adaptive reuse. The monastery is part of UNESCO's Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto. Visitors typically see the cloisters, the gardens, the monumental spaces and the archaeological areas beneath the building, where excavation has uncovered Roman remains and lava-covered structures. Visits are by guided tour, and an evening underground tour was priced at EUR 12 in May 2026. Phone bookings can be made on +39 334 9242464. The architecture combines Baroque ornament with robust lava-stone walls, and the interiors show how the monks lived and worked, while the university occupation adds contemporary uses. The complex is a working university site, so access to some areas depends on teaching schedules. Visitors should plan for a guided visit of around one to two hours, and booking in advance is advisable, especially in peak season.