Palazzo Biscari
Catania’s most magnificent private baroque palace, with a richly carved seaside facade; its ballroom is hailed as the most beautiful rococo hall in Sicily.
Palazzo Biscari was built on the ancient city walls after the 1693 earthquake, as a private residence for the Princes of Biscari. From the direction of Porta Marina, you can see its seaside facade, covered with carvings, and its balconies. Inside, the rococo ballroom is decorated with mirrors, stucco, and fresco, and the musicians’ gallery sits high above. The palace remains privately owned, so visits require a guided tour booked in advance (about €15–20). It also hosts events. You can admire the exterior from a few steps southeast of the cathedral square.
Opening hours
Guided tours by reservation
Nearby sights
- Teatro Massimo Bellini
- Badia di Sant'Agata
- Terme Achilliane
- Piazza del Duomo & Elephant Fountain, Catania
- La Pescheria, Catania
- Via Etnea
- Museo Civico Belliniano
- Via dei Crociferi