Be sure to take the tour. Ours was in Italian, but since this was a field trip with the Federico II language school, our guide from the school did the interpreting for us. We went on a Friday afternoon and there were no classes, so we didn't see it functioning as a university. However, graduation was that afternoon so we... More

First, one must remember that this is a working university. The tour takes you through many working spaces. The monastery was built over time from the early 1700's (actually in 1667 but destroyed by the earthquake of 1693). So you ought to plan to go there outside school hours (brochure says there are guides Mon-Fri 9-17h and S-S 9-12h.) August... More

Info on the monastery indicated it was open on Sunday am, so we sent. Only available tour was in Italian, but there was some info in English available. Guide was ok and could answer some questions in English. Only disapptment was that we could not go into the church.

This place had all the hallmarks of a fantastic visit...but maybe I went at the wrong time (Monday morning). This is actually an University, which I didn't realise, so the place was packed. A lot of the rooms were locked or out of bounds. The basement area couldn't be accessed due to exams. All the corridors look the same so... More

Worth visiting, one of the biggest Benedictin monastery in Europe hosting now the University of Catania

I visited monastery at the beginning of September, later in the afternoon, so place was almost empty. When I first stop by in tour office, they told me that tours are offer in Italian only and suggested that I should grab map and just wondering by my own. I tried, but it did not work – some rooms was closed,... More

It's worth watching students following their courses in this magnificient building. You can wander around, inside and outside, and take the time to sit in the small court on the left side of the building looking at the facade and the balconies. Amazing work.

It is worth a visit if you are visiting Catania and especially when helped by the friendly people of officine culturali

Only in Saragozza Spain they build a bigger one. However what once was a unit is now split in several different parts. The most interesting is now one of the Main College of the Catania University. Inside there is a number of small yards, one after the other. A great Library and an underground part open to the public. It... More