We spent a few days in the heart of the beautiful city of Catania. Our hotel was located beside the Piazza Duomo with a great view of the Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata. 

In the centre of the Piazza Duomo there is a fountain with a statue that is the symbol of Catania known as u Liotru.  It is a small looking elephant located on the fountain.

The history of this elephant is believed to originate around 900 AD  when Catania was part of the emirate of Sicily.  In that time the city was known as the “the City of the Elephant”. It was believed that the elephant was a talisman that provided protection against enemies, both human, natural or geologic.

We saw several symbols of elephants while exploring the city.  

 

There is a very popular place called Don Peppinu which apparently sells the best gelato in Sicily.  There were people lined up outside the door waiting to buy a gelato, so of course we lined up and had to try the best gelato in Sicily. 

After our gelato we walked along the streets exploring some of the city before our next adventure to Mount Etna. 

We enjoyed Catania, it was an interesting city with a rich history. 

“A mio avviso, la più grande ricompensa e il lusso del viaggio è quello di poter vivere le cose di tutti i giorni come se fosse la prima volta, di essere in una posizione in cui quasi nulla è così familiare da essere dato per scontato”. – Bill Bryson