What to do in Catanzaro when it rains

Beautiful and full of attractions even in bad weather! Let's find out together what to do in Catanzaro when it rains and the places you absolutely must visit.

Catanzaro, the 'City between Two Seas', can also be admired in the rain, captivating visitors with its rich offering of museums, theatres, cinemas, historic venues and unexpected curiosities.

Let's take a look at some indoor places and find out what to do in Catanzaro when it rains.

Is it raining outside? There's nothing better than hiding away in the fascinating tunnels of Catanzaro Underground! A magical journey, which starts at Corso Mazzini and continues under the San Giovanni Monumental Complex, along the stretch of the historic centre where the Norman Castle (11th century) once stood. The underground walkways, carved out of local limestone, were used for centuries to move clandestinely from one part of the city to another, particularly during the Second World War, when they were transformed into air-raid shelters. Today, guided tours of the underground city are among the things to do in Catanzaro when it rains, immersed in silence, mystery and legend.

Gloomy afternoon? If you don't know what to do in Catanzaro when it rains, treat yourself to a tour of the city's museums. There are many different types: from those dedicated to the city's ancient history to contemporary and music museums, perfect for young and old alike. Here is a list of the most important ones:

• MARCA – Catanzaro Museum of Arts, a multifunctional modern and contemporary art gallery
• MUDAS – Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art
• MARCH – Provincial Archaeological and Numismatic Museum
• MUSMI – 'Brigata Catanzaro' Military History Museum
• Rock and Vinyl Museum
• Silk Art Museum

In addition to these, there are several important artists' studios that can be visited by appointment, such as Mimmo Rotella House of Memories, the birthplace and exhibition space of the great Catanzaro master of 20th-century painting, and the Gallery of Abandonment "U Ciàciu", which exhibits the works of master Saverio Rotundo, blacksmith-sculptor and genius of Pop Art.

Recently inaugurated but already hugely successful, the dramatised guided tours of the Politeama "Mario Foglietti" Theatre are one of the things to do in Catanzaro when it rains. The tour, called La Nave Teatro, offers visitors a unique perspective on the external and internal architecture of architect Portoghesi's majestic work, through a theatrical tour (led by an actor) that takes spectators onto the stage to discover the most intimate secrets of the city's main theatre. The same theatre offers a season rich in prose, dance and concerts to suit all tastes. We recommend that enthusiasts also keep an eye on the programming of the Cinema Teatro Comunale and the Supercinema, both located in the heart of the historic centre.

Morzeddhu cu a pitta is the original name of Catanzaro's morzello, a typical street food to be eaten while walking down the street but, in case of rain, also in one of the characteristic popular trattorias that serve it strictly at lunchtime. To be enjoyed on a plate or, as tradition dictates, as a filling for a soft "pitta a ruota di carro" (wheel-shaped bread), morzello is a delicious 'fifth quarter' stew: a mixture of tripe and offal cooked in tomato sauce and flavoured with hot chilli pepper and bay leaves, the ideal dish to eat on a grey, rainy day!