Acireale: The City of 40 Churches

Founded in 1326, Acireale is celebrated for its splendid Baroque architecture, including its Cathedral (1597-1618), the basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul and Saint Sebastian as well as numerous other churches. The town also features elegant palaces such as Palazzo Comunale, Modò, Calanna, and Pennisi di Floristella, the scenic Villa Belvedere, the historic Zelantea Library, the 19th-century Santa Venera thermal baths, the vibrant Acireale Carnival and the breathtaking La Timpa Nature Reserve.