Mansarda in Gravina di Catania

Mount Etna rises immediately northwest of the city and dominates this stretch of the plain and coast. The Ionian coast is at the edge of the built-up area. The Simeto plain lies just south and west. Catania is a major city with an airport, port, university, major services and a large historic centre with baroque buildings; the late-baroque towns of the Val di Noto are a UNESCO site, and Catania is part of that listing. The area is known for Etna, citrus on the plain, and the black lava-stone fabric of the city and nearby settlements.