Museo della Fabbrica del Monastero dei Benedettini
University museum in the 18th-century former kitchens and the “Ventre” of the Benedictine Monastery in Catania, designed by Giancarlo De Carlo, open with guided tours.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo della Fabbrica was set up in 2000 with funds from the Piano Coordinato “Catania – Lecce” as part of the restoration of the Benedictine Monastery, the seat of the Department of Humanities of the University of Catania. The project is by the architect Giancarlo De Carlo together with the University's Technical Office, and it tells the historical and architectural story of the ancient monastic complex, linking it to the urban context.
The museum occupies two levels around the monastery's old kitchen, built by the architect Vaccarini from 1739, with its large central tiled niche, and the “Ventre” (belly), the Benedictine pantry below, built directly on the lava bench. Here the Cassinese monks prepared the meals made famous by Federico De Roberto's novel “I Viceré” (The Viceroys).
The heart of the museum is its archive, created from the documents, drawings and site photographs produced during the restoration works, and now part of the Sistema Museale d’Ateneo (University Museum System). The visit takes place on the guided routes of the Monastery run by Officine Culturali.
Highlights
- 18th-century kitchen by Vaccarini with tiled niche
- The “Ventre”, a Benedictine pantry built on lava
- Museum project by Giancarlo De Carlo
- Archive of the Museo della Fabbrica with drawings and site photographs
- Guided route through cloisters, Roman domus and the Giardino dei Novizi
Permanent exhibition
- Museo della Fabbrica – The former kitchens and the “Ventre” of the monastery show the building techniques and architectural history of the complex, with the archive of the restoration works.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Università degli Studi di Catania (visite a cura di Officine Culturali)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7.50over 65, members of FAI and Touring Club Italiano, ICOM members, guests of Unict staff, companion of a person with disabilities |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 6 · Under 19: €3; free under 7 if accompanied by adults. |
| Seniors | €7.50Over 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities; the companion pays €7.50. A document certifying the entitlement is required. |
| Students & apprentices | €4Unict students: €4; university students not at Unict: €6. |
| Guided visit to the Monastery + Botanical Garden | €15Combined ticket valid for one month |
| Guided visit to the Monastery + Villa Cerami | €15Combined ticket valid for one month |
| Monastery + Botanical Garden + Villa Cerami | €20Combined ticket valid for one month |
The prices refer to the guided tour service. Free for holders of the MonasteroCard; friends of MonasteroCard holders and Unict staff: €5.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stesicoro
From the airport with the Alibus line to Piazza Stesicoro; from the Stazione Centrale with the 431R line to Via Plebiscito; direct stop at Piazza Dante on the 504M line. Metro: Stesicoro stop.
Taxi: Radio Taxi Catania 095 8833.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum is visited on the guided routes of the Benedictine Monastery. For schools: prenotazioni.scuole@officineculturali.net, +39 380 681 1855. |
