Catania, a major cultural city in Sicily at the foot of Mount Etna, is officially among the ten finalists in the competition for the title of Italian Capital of Culture 2028. Together with Anagni, Ancona, Colle di Val d’Elsa, Forlì, Gravina in Puglia, Massa, Mirabella Eclano, Sarzana, and Tarquinia, the city has qualified for the final selection stage.
The public hearings will take place on February 26 and 27, 2026, in the Sala Spadolini at the Italian Ministry of Culture and will be streamed live on YouTube. Each city will have 60 minutes to present its cultural project and answer the jury's questions.
The announcement of the winning city is scheduled for no later than March 27, 2026. The title comes with a grant of €1 million, which will be used for cultural projects and urban development.
A key element of Catania's bid is the strong participation of the city's residents: Over 75% of the submitted projects originate from initiatives by citizens, associations, universities, and businesses. This is complemented by a participatory cultural plan with a perspective extending to 2038, which aims to position Catania as a modern cultural city in the long term.
With its rich baroque heritage, proximity to Mount Etna and a vibrant urban culture, Catania presents itself as an attractive destination for cultural tourism in Sicily and as a serious candidate for the title Italian Capital of Culture 2028.