History
Piazza Duomo
Apart from the myth of Acis and Galatea and the Cyclops we know that the Sicules of Xiphonia (Acireale’s first name, which means “sword”) had trading relation with the Phoenicians. At that time, Acireale was located on the promontory of Cape Mulini. During the early period of Roman domination, Akis was located in the inland area of Reitana. Folling a period of significant political importance in the 3rd century BC, after the Western Roman Empire fell, Acireale entered a period of decline. During the Byzantine era, perhaps due to the proximity to the Castello of Acis fortress, Jachium reemerged between Aci Castello and Aci Trezza. Through the Castle fortress, Acireale was able to resist the Moslems until 902. In 1091, under Ruggero, the city lost its autonomy and fell under the jurisdiction of the bishop of Catania. In 1326, it moved to its current plateau location under the name of Aquilia Nova. In 1642, a decree of Philip IV of Spain gave the city the appellation “Reale” (“Royal”), making it crown property. The 1600’s were a golden age of baroque architecture for Acireale. The clearest examples are the Palazzo di Città, the Basilica of S. Sebastiano and the Palazzi on Via Dafnica, but the style is also evident in simplest working class neighbrhoods, along Via Galatea and in the Suffraggio neighbourhood. Despite serious damage from the 1693 earthquake, the city sprang up again, creating the splendid architecture we admire today.