Santa Filomena District is the name of the project of urban redevelopment that interests Santa Filomena StreetFor years, it has been one of Catania's most beloved and popular streets, boasting numerous restaurants, pizzerias, pubs, a bookshop, a shop, and numerous B&Bs. Let's see what it's all about.
Via Santa Filomena
It is known as the food street and one of most beautifully lit in the cityIt's no coincidence that tourists and Catanians fill their social media profiles with photos taken from this narrow street located on the main Via Umberto and connecting to Via Pacini. We're talking about Via Santa Filomena, an alley in which several entrepreneurs invested many years ago to transform the street into a hub of attraction and the city's economic hub. The narrow street leading to one of the city's historic markets was relatively abandoned. It was mainly occupied by shops and is home to numerous homes and professional offices. There's also the exit from the Lo Po' cinema halls.
The first place to open back in 2002 was The Sale Art Café, followed in 2012 by Fud-Sicilian shop, by Andrea Graziano, which has now become a very popular brand in Catania, Palermo and Milan. They were born later Curtigghiu, the Meatball Factory by Igor Farfante, Blanc a mange, the Vicolo Stretto bookshop of the Sciacca sisters, the Boudoir 36 shop by Antonio Alessandria. All the entrepreneurs wanted to create original proposals to please the palates of the locals, first and foremost, and tourists second. This is why the establishments all have distinctive characteristics, and they all wanted to join in, creating the play of light that over the years has become iconic of the street, which also features tables along the street, as well as inside. Residents and promoters have worked to transform the street into a pedestrian area.
An action that has become a model for other neighborhoods, reborn with restaurants and commercial businesses following the same path.
The Santa Filomena district urban redevelopment project
Street Over the years, it has attracted more and more visitors and its activities have multiplied. The street is always filled with people ready to queue in endless lines to enjoy the offerings. of the various venues. The businesses have generated a vast economic return that has benefited the city, creating jobs for many employees, especially young university students who, by working there, support themselves through university.
Today the project has evolved and aims to propose the urban development and cultural promotionThe entrepreneurs who operate here have transformed Via Santa Filomena into anarrow symbol of the city's rebirth Especially after the pandemic. The various owners decided to join together to transform this space into a productive laboratory for ideas, initiatives, actions, and events. The street has been further beautified and is ready to host new events such as book presentations, art, photography, and design exhibitions, food and wine tastings, and cultural events.
Information panels in two languages will soon be installed, telling the story of this street, and the social media account "Via Santa Filomena" will be activated to make it even more touristic and international. All this to promote cultural and social promotion of the city.
The new lighting
The entrepreneurs have made it at their own expense New street furniture will include a video surveillance system, 180 strings of lights arranged in triple rows, and new signs will be installed at the beginning and end of the 180-meter-long street. There will also be plants capable of absorb pollution air and freshen the space. The street was also subjected to extraordinary cleaning.
The following participated in the initiative: Agricolab, Palinuro Gourmet Drink, Filomena Domus, B&B Filo15, Il Sale Art Cafè, Moon, Fud Bottega Sicula, Hygge House, Curtigghiu, Boudoir 36, Libreria Vicolo Stretto, L'Horologe, Filomena Suite Apartments, Filohome 44, Ghisa, Polpetteria, Polpetthouse.
The new lighting was turned on and the project kicked off on November 18th in the presence of Catania's deputy mayor.
The new Santa Filomena district demonstrates how the union of various forces can bring great benefits to our city.
photo of S. Portale
