Museo Diocesano
Museum of the cathedral and diocese of Catania in the former Seminario dei Chierici, with sacred furnishings, panoramic terraces and the Terme Achilliane.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo Diocesano di Catania holds above all the historic movable furnishings of the Cathedral, and is therefore the museum of the cathedral and the episcopal see. Works from diocesan sources also document aspects of the life of numerous churches, both religious and secular, in the city and its region.
It is housed in the former Seminario dei Chierici, on Piazza Duomo, a building restored while respecting its original features. The display of sacred art follows the layout of the rooms and extends over three floors, with works grouped by material categories such as silverware, vestments, sculptures and paintings. The collection is divided into two major sections: the first, on the whole second floor and in one room on the third, brings together works from the Cathedral; the second, between the third and fourth floors, contains artifacts from other churches of the city and the diocese.
The visit includes the panoramic terraces built above Porta Uzeda, erected in 1695 after the earthquake of 1693, from which you can see Baroque Catania, Etna and the sea. The visit also includes the Terme Achilliane, one of the most significant Roman buildings of the imperial era in Catania, whose remains extend beneath the Cathedral and the former Seminary; they can be visited with a dedicated ticket.
Highlights
- Historic furnishings and treasury of Catania Cathedral
- Sacred art from churches in the city and diocese
- Panoramic terraces above Porta Uzeda with views of Etna and the Baroque center
- Terme Achilliane beneath the Cathedral
- Nine rooms across several floors of the former Seminario dei Chierici
Permanent exhibitions
- Arredo storico della Cattedrale – Silverware, vestments, sculptures and paintings from the Cathedral, displayed on the second floor and in a room on the third.
- Opere delle chiese della diocesi – Sacred art from other churches in the city and region, on the third and fourth floors.
- Operated by
- Arcidiocesi di Catania
- Visitors per year
- approx. 17,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4university students, Touring Club and FAI members, over 65s, groups of at least 10 people, children aged 10 to 18, teachers |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 9 · Free admission for children under 10; reduced ticket from 10 to 18. |
| Seniors | €4Reduced rate for over 65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and for one companion who needs assistance. |
| Students & apprentices | €4Reduced rate for university students. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €4 per personReduced ticket for groups; booking required for school classes and groups of more than 20 people. |
| Terme Achilliane (full) | €5Reduced €3. |
| Combined ticket museum + Terme (full) | €10Reduced €6. |
| Panoramic terraces (reduced) | €3 |
| Integrated ticket for the museum, Terme Achilliane and the Benedictine Monastery | €15Valid for 30 days; groups of 20 people €10 each, school classes €5. |
Free admission also for priests, religious, deacons, seminarians and AMEI members. For groups and school classes, one guide per 25 people and two teachers per class enter without a ticket.
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
Via Etnea
From the airport, take the AMT Alibus or line 524 to Piazzale Borsellino/Dusmet; from the railway station, take AMT lines 1–4 and 429 to Via Etnea, or the 431N to Piazzale Borsellino/Dusmet; by the metro (Circumetnea) to Stesicoro station.
The entrance is in Piazza Duomo, Via Etnea 8.
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 | Guided tours and educational activities by booking through the museum’s educational services; for visits to the Benedictine Monastery, call +39 095 710 2767. |
