Ionian Coast - Sicily - page 352

Drinking & Nightlife

42 Da Vincenzo G6

43 Energie Cafe C2

44 Heaven E4

45 Perbacco Wine Bar D4

Entertainment

46 Enola Jazz Club D4

47 La Lomax D6

48 Teatro Massimo Bellini D4

Zò (see 13)

Shopping

49 La Fiera D2

Sights & Activities

Piazza del Duomo
A Unesco World Heritage Site, Catania's central square is a set piece of sinuous buildings
and a grand cathedral, all built in the unique local baroque style, with its contrasting lava
and limestone. In the centre of the piazza is Catania's most memorable monument, and a
symbol of the city, the smiling Fontana dell'Elefante OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Piazza del Duomo)
built in 1736.
The naive black-lava elephant, dating from the Roman period, is surmounted by an im-
probable Egyptian obelisk. Legend has it that it belonged to the 8th-century magician Eli-
odorus, who reputedly made his living by turning people into animals. The obelisk is be-
lieved to possess magical powers that help calm Mt Etna's restless activity. At the piazza's
southwest corner, the Fontana dell'Amenano OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP fountain marks the en-
trance to Catania's fish market and commemorates the Amenano River, which once ran
above ground and on whose banks the Greeks first founded the city of Katáne.

SQUARE

Cattedrale di Sant'Agata
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP

CATHEDRAL