Paterno - small town in the province of Catania, has very ancient roots. The territory of the modern city was settled 3, 5 thousand years ago - probably the first inhabitants of these places were Sica. Initially the settlement was called Inessa, and its current name comes from the Greek word "pater aitnayon", which means "Fortress of Etna." In addition, to the northwest of Paterno we had traces of another ancient city, named Major Iblayya or Galeatis.

In Greek and Roman era Paterno was a modest provincial center, and at the end of the first millennium it is almost empty. During the Arab rule in Sicily, the town was known as Batarnu. The Normans conquered the island in the middle of the 11th century, brought back the city its name - Paterno. At the same time he started his heyday. King Federico III built here the so called "Camera Redzhinale" - the Queen's chambers, which gave as a wedding gift to his bride, Eleanor of Anjou. Later, they passed by inheritance to all the queens of Sicily. The heyday of Paterno lasted until the 15th century when the city became a feudal property and lost its importance.

Historically, the area around Paterno has always suffered from epidemics of malaria, as it is located on a marshy plain Katansky. However, in the 20th century, this problem was solved, and in 1960-1970 there was observed rapid urban development.

Among the main attractions of a small Paterno could be called the Norman castle built in 1072 by order of Roger I of Sicily, and numerous churches. For example, the church Chiesa Madre di Santa Maria della Alto was built in 1342 and substantially rebuilt in the early 18th century. It is connected to the beautiful staircase to Porta del Borgo. The Gothic church of San Francesco alla Collina preserved elements of baroque decoration, and the church of San Martino al Monte is famous for its rococo. It is worth paying attention to the shrine of Santa Maria della Valle di Lozafat 11th century with amazing Gothic portal.