Paterno Attractions
Location
The town lies 19km/12mi northwest of Catania on the southwestern slope of Mount Etna in the middle of orange groves where a species of blood-orange named after Paternò is grown. In the west the River Simeto winds its way through its valley.
History
In ancient times one of three towns called Hybla stood here, the other two being near Megara Hyblaea on the east coast and in the Ragusa region.
In 415 B.C., during their Second Sicilian Expedition, the Athenians attacked it but in vain, and in 414 B.C. they laid waste to the area. In Roman times the town of Hyblenses was a civitas decumana, and Hyblaia, the goddess of the town, became Venus Victrix Hyblensis. Siculan, Greek and Roman remains have been found near the town.
The town lies 19km/12mi northwest of Catania on the southwestern slope of Mount Etna in the middle of orange groves where a species of blood-orange named after Paternò is grown. In the west the River Simeto winds its way through its valley.
History
In ancient times one of three towns called Hybla stood here, the other two being near Megara Hyblaea on the east coast and in the Ragusa region.
In 415 B.C., during their Second Sicilian Expedition, the Athenians attacked it but in vain, and in 414 B.C. they laid waste to the area. In Roman times the town of Hyblenses was a civitas decumana, and Hyblaia, the goddess of the town, became Venus Victrix Hyblensis. Siculan, Greek and Roman remains have been found near the town.
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Chiesa Madre (Santa Maria dell'Alto)
Near the castle in Paternò stands the church of Chiesa Madre (or Santa Maria dell'Alto), built in 1342 on the site of an earlier building. A further church, Santa Maria della Valle, built in 1072, has a magnificent Gothic doorway.
