It is located on a small island connected to the mainland by two bridges. It is an ancient city, founded by Frederick II of Swabia in 1232. This is Augusta, in Sicily, a nice idea for a one-day trip during a holiday in Catania. And, among the many things to see, there are seven places that you should not miss.
- La porta spagnola. Built in the Seventeenth century, this historical gate is a monument of the Spanish domination in Sicily (which took place from 1412 to 1713). On the top of the gate there are two rampant griffins.
- Forte Vittoria. This castle was built in 1300, by Frederick II of Swabia, around a pre-existing Roman tower. It is a square-plan building with four massive corner towers. You can see the ancient Roman tower in the centre of the fort.
- Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta. This church is located in piazza Duomo. It is a little Baroque-style architectural jewel. The church was completely reconstructed after the earthquake of 1963.
- Spiaggia di Agnone Bagni. Agnone Bagni is a small town in the homonymous bay. Here there is a large sandy beach. From the beach, you can admire a breathtaking view.
- Il castello Svevo. It is the symbol of the city of Augusta. The Swabian castle is an imposing fortress built in the Thirteenth century. It is located in the northern part of the island.
- Saline di Augusta. Protected in a natural park, the saltpans of Augusta are a priceless natural treasure, especially for its rich fauna.
- Megara Hyblaea. It is an ancient Greek colony, founded by Megarian people in 728 BC. It’s a very large archaeological site: here, were found an extensive necropolis (about 1500 tombs), an agora, the Hellenistic thermae, the heroon (a tomb for a hero), and the western town wall.
Image source: Di Clemensfranz – Opera propria, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1179851
